In 1937 the Swedish company Svenska Aeroplan AB was started to build fighter planes to protect Sweden's neutral position during World War II.

When the end of World War II was apparent the company had to find a new niche in the post war manufacturing world. In 1945 plans were started to build an automobile called the Saab 92. In 1948 a Saab factory in Trollhattan Sweden was converted for the manufacture of automobiles and the Saab 92 went into production in December 1949. The 92 was redeveloped in 1955 and was called the Saab 93. In 1959 the 95 was added, a station wagon variation of the Saab 93. The Saab 94 sports car (the first Sonett) was also developed then.

In 1960 the 96 was released in which all of these early models all had either a 2 or 3 cylinder two-stroke engine. This type of engine platform required the drive to add two cycle oil to the gas of a reservoir to lubricate the engine. There was no sump oil with this design, hence there were no oil changed needed, the oil simply lubricated as it fuel was burned through the engine just like a chain saw.

In 1968 the Saab 99 was the new model which had new innovations such as impact absorbing bumpers, wrap around windshield, headlight wipers and door beams for side impact protection. In 1973 Saab transformed the 99 into what it called the combi coupe, a three door hatchback design.

In 1978 Saab introduced the 900 the replacement for the 99. Almost one million 900s were sold throughout its production and in 1986 a 900 convertible was added to the lineup.

Saab developed the 9000 in 1985 with an agreement shared with Lancia. The result also produced new models for Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia .

1989 Saab was reorganized and General Motors had a 50 percent share in the company. A new 900 was released in 1994. In 1997 the 9000 was replaced by the 9-5 and the 900 was replaced by the 9-3. A 9-5 station wagon was developed in 1999 to help make up for the lose of a combi (hatchback) style in the 9-5.

In 2000 GM became the sole owner of Saab and in 2003 released an all new 9-3 with a hatchback style instead of a four door variant that had been manufactured previously. In 2005 two new models manufactured under GMs control were the 9-2x and 9-7x, rebadged Subaru Impreza and Chevy Trailblazer respectively and were not very good sellers for Saab.

As Saab sales slumped and GM was having its own financial problems, GM was forced to sell off Saab which is another story in itself and in September 2012 the company, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) took over the ownership of Saab. NEVS plans on an all electric 9-3 due to be released in March 2014.