According to MSNBC, sales of Saabs have dropped 10 percent last year to 32,700 units, with a 22 percent decline just in December.

So, for that and other reasons, owner General Motors is tasking its Cadillac division to build all-wheel drive crossover vehicles for the Swedish division. This marks the first time that an entirely new Saab model has been constructed outside Sweden. Welcome to the real world of 2008.

The new vehicle, a crossover, was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is expected to be released next year and it is hoped that it will help the Swedish nameplate to capture more sales in the U.S.