TROLLHATTAN, Sweden -- The production lines at Saab Automobile's state-of-the-art Trollhattan, Sweden, plant began rolling again yesterday, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company.

To mark the occasion, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhattan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius took up positions on the line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built.

Production at the Trollhattan plant was halted for seven weeks after GM decided to cease production of the brand. Now, following the purchase of Saab Automobile AB by Spyker Cars NV, the first cars to be built by Saab as an independent company will soon be delivered to customers.

First on the line was an all-new Saab 9-5 sedan, destined to join a test fleet prior to the model's official launch later this year. Further down the line was a Saab Convertible, now also being produced in Trollhattan as part of the concentration of Saab operations in Sweden. With the introduction of the new 9-5 SportCombi next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant.