Saab was a Swedish automotive manufacturer that was founded in 1945. After WW2, Saab's parent company, Saab AB, a Swedish defence contractor deciced to enter the automotive market. The first model produced was the Saab 92 and after that, the company grew a reputation for building safe, reliable cars. Over the course of its history, Saab produced many notable models including the 96, Sonett, 99, and 9-3. In 1989, GM took a 50 percent ownership, eventually buying the whole company in 2000. After a few successful years, GM encountered financial difficulties, eventually selling Saab to Spyker in a late attempt to keep the company alive, but in 2012 Saab closed its doors.