With General Motors cutting funding off from Saab and indicating the Swedish automaker’s independence at the start of 2010, Saab is now looking for a new partner with which it can work closely like it did with GM in the past—albeit now there’s room for improvement.

Saab is expected to lose some $300 million in profits in 2009, but thanks largely to a generous government bailout—the Swedish government gave loans and loan guarantees that amount to around $3.23 billion—the company will be able to stay afloat for the time being.

The loans are intended for the development of new models, particularly the three units that Saab is slated to release over the next year-and-a-half: the now-revealed 9-3X, the 9-4X, and the 9-5. These units will put a premium on technology and innovative features just like those Saab have included in past models, such as headlamp washers, bumpers that absorb impact and turbochargers that are powered by excess energy.

With the company’s impending separation from GM, it’s going to be a great opportunity to observe how Saab turns the situation to its advantage and hopefully getting a new partner goes smoothly.

Source: Motor Authority