Saab has sold 27,465 cars in 2005, a sales growth of 35%, which has led to its best ever share of the UK market at 1.14%.

This is the second year running the Swedish manufacturer has broken its market share and sales records in the UK.

The 9-3 Sport Saloon went to 14,000 customers, a 43% growth on last year. Saab says that some of its sales success was due to the launch of the new 9-3 SportWagon and the revised 9-5 range, in 2005.

Demand for the 9-3 Convertible, was up by 16% to 5,900 cars, whilst sales of the 9-5 range grew by over 1% year-on-year, despite the phasing out of the previous-generation 9-5 towards the tail end of the year.

Jonathan Nash, managing director of Saab GB, said: “With the introduction of yet more new engine variants in key models, such as the forthcoming new Convertible 1.9 TiD and innovative 9-5 BioPower, I have no doubt that 2006 will be the third consecutive year of record growth for Saab.”