This Swedish car company is best known for its stylish designs and use of cutting-edge technologies. Originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Co.), Saab was founded in 1937. The company began manufacturing automobiles in 1949. Its early designs were fittingly aerodynamic. The first production Saab, the 92, had a lower coefficient of drag than many modern cars. It gained popularity here in the U.S. among upwardly mobile professionals during the 1970s and 1980s because of its unique look, state-of-the-art safety features and luxury nature. General Motors purchased Saab Automobile AB in 2000 but did little to enhance the brand. When GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009, it announced the sale of Saab to the Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, however that transaction did not work out and Saab was ultimately sold to Spyker.
