(May 18, 2011) While Saab has been struggling to stay afloat as a viable car company, it is gaining sales in the UK — and the U.S.

Saab sales continued to build strong momentum, with the number of cars sold in April more than double the volume sold for the same month last year in the UK. This reinforces Saab’s position as the fast-growing premium car brand in the UK market.

Sales last month totaled 489 units, a 101 per cent increase compared to the same month last year. For the first four months of the year, total sales are now 77.7 per cent ahead of 2010, showing an even greater gain than the 73.5 per cent rise posted for the first quarter.

U.S. Saab sales in April totaled 696 units, up more than 300 percent from April 2010 when Saab was in limbo as General Motors was finalizing its sale to Spyker.

Saab sales have increased in each of the last nine months in the UK compared to the previous year and total year-to-date sales of 2,866 units has enabled Saab to raise its share of the UK premium car segment.

A major driving force behind the brand’s UK sales success is the Saab 9-3 model range with 1.9-liter twin-turbo diesel manual engines delivering ultra-low CO2 emissions. Like the rest of the Saab line-up, these models are now backed by the launch of a highly competitive range of retail and business finance options and rising residual values.

The new 9-5 sedan is also contributing as it provides an attractive, alternative choice for customers in the larger, mid-size premium segment. It too is benefiting from Saab’s new finance offers, particularly in the corporate business sector.

“With new products coming on stream backed by competitive finance packages, and a strong and loyal dealer network in place, we are in great shape to continue the growth of Saab in the UK,” says Saab Great Britain Managing Director Charles Toosey.