All About Japan Autos

Daily Auto News

Saab may have benefited from an eleventh-hour rescue, but the brand isn’t wasting any time in trying to get back on its feet.

Left Lane News reports, “The brand that almost vanished into the history books is back with just one model range until the summer release of the 2011 9-5, although a new slushy road-oriented 9-3X finally joins the lineup.”

That one model is the Saab 9-3, and prices have dropped slightly for 2010. USA Today reports that Saab “says it is lowering prices 4% to 12% compared to the 2009 models.”

Autoblog homes in on one 9-3 variant: ” The most noteworthy ride on just-released the price list? That would be the 2010 Saab 9-3X, the Allroad/Outback style jacked-up, all-wheel-drive SportCombi. Parking one in the garage at your ski home in Aspen will set you back, at minimum, $37,800, including destination.”

In addition to the 9-3X, the 9-3 is available as a wagon (called the SportCombi), a sport sedan, and a convertible. So even though Saab just has the 2010 9-3 for now, there’s a lot of diversity in that one model.

Still, Automobile Magazine reports, “With news of Saab’s struggle to survive keeping people from dealerships, sales for Saab totaled 97 for February. Nationwide, Saab dealers have about 500 model year 2009 vehicles for sale.” Production at Saab had been halted while the company’s future was dealt with, but reports indicate that the 2010 models should be headed to the U.S. soon.

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.