(January 4, 2010) Spyker Cars NV will rebuild Saab around the 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4X models if it buys the Swedish brand from General Motors Co., Spyker CEO Victor Muller says. Plans for a Saab 9-1 entry-level car would be put on hold, according to a report today in AutoWeek magazine.

Muller said Saab would maintain its headquarters, engineering and production in Trollhattan, Sweden, under Spyker's ownership. Trollhattan would produce all Saab cars except the 9-4X, which would be produced in GM's assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Muller made the comments in an interview with AOL Autos. He said Saab would press ahead with the launch of the new 9-5 sedan this spring.

The 9-4X crossover, which shares mechanicals with the Cadillac SRX, would be introduced late this year or early in 2011. A new 9-3 would go on sale in 2012.

GM would continue to produce engines for Saab, and Saab would use GM parts in vehicles such as the 9-4X and 9-5, Muller said. Saab's relationship with GM “would last for years,” Muller told AOL Autos.

He said he has abandoned plans to trim Saab's U.S. network of dealerships from the current 218 stores down to 137 outlets.

Spyker could use Saab's all-wheel-drive technology, plus other components from Saab's parts bin, Muller said, adding that selected Saab dealerships could sell Spyker cars.