Saab in discussions with BMW over collaboration with the 9-2

The two companies are said to be discussing ways of sharing parts and technologies for the 9-2, with BMW supplying Saab with the Mini's platform, engines and gearbox. "We are in talks with several interested parties who have interest in our technology," a BMW spokesman said. "There are no contracts with Saab at the moment."

The 9-2 will be Saab's new mini car that is inspired by the original Saab 92 that was made from 1949 to 1956, and will be around 10 percent bigger than the Mini. Saab's new owner Spyker is expecting to sell around 30,000 9-2 cars annually from 2012 to 2014, with views to ramping volumes to 60,000 annually after that, or about half of Saab's total volume.

Saab is also looking to tie-up with BMW which will allow them usage of BMW's diesel engines for the upcoming 9-4X compact crossover, which is expected to go on sale by 2011. Saab refused further comment, but on Saab's behalf, Eric Geers said, "We are concentrating on the 9-5 and the 9-4X. A smaller Saab below the 9-3 is not in our business plan though it would be on our wish list."