Saab Establishes New Unit to Manage Oz, NZ Operations

Sweden’s Saab Automobile AB says continuity of customer service is assured during its transition as it establishes Saab Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary responsible for operations in Australia and New Zealand.

In the coming months, the new company will assume all marketing, sales and distribution responsibilities from GM Holden Ltd. following the purchase in February of Saab from General Motors Co. by the Netherlands’ Spyker Cars NV.

The new subsidiary will be responsible for supplying and maintaining national networks of dealers – including existing Saab dealerships, as well as new outlets – in Australia and New Zealand.

Saab says the existing dealer network will continue to serve customers during the transitional period.

Executive Director of Sales Adrian Hallmark says the change represents the start of a new chapter for Saab as an independent auto maker in the two Oceania markets.

“After evaluating a number of different business models, we believe having a Saab-owned subsidiary is the best way for Saab to optimize its great sales potential and to best cater (to) current and future customers in these markets,” he says in a statement.

Hallmark says the new company is looking forward to the re-launch of the Saab brand in the two countries next year with the new 9-5 sedan, 9-4x and 9-5 SportCombi.

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