Saab 9-1 minicar to spawn Saturn variant

After watching BMW reap profits in the premium minicar segment with its Mini range for years, rival carmakers are now rushing to develop small runabouts to capture their own part of the lucrative market. Volkswagen Group has already shown us the Audi A1 Metroproject and VW up! concepts, and Fiat’s launched its 500 minicar to great success, and now GM is just weeks away from revealing its Saab 9-1 Concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

According to latest reports, the 9-1 isn’t the only minicar GM is planning. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims GM will have two premium minicars, the Saab version and reskinned model for Saturn in North America. The production 9-1 will be available with Saab’s first hybrid system, which will be available as soon as the car is launched, and it will be sold as a global model. There aren’t many details surrounding the Saturn model but according to the source it will feature a removable roof and could be available with the same hybrid drive system.

GM also plans to launch a budget minicar designed by GM Daewoo in South Korea. This car will be based on the Beat concept from last year’s New York Auto Show and will be sold as a global model.

Audi A1 Metroproject concept