ROYAL OAK, Mich. -

With an imminent launch of four new models, Saab Cars North America brought in a veteran from another import automaker to be its new president and chief operating officer.

Tapped for the role Monday was Timothy Colbeck, who joins the automaker from Subaru. This news comes as Saab embarks on what it calls its biggest-ever model roll out with four all-new units — the 9-5 Sedan, the 9-4X, which is the company’s first crossover, the 9-5 SportCombi and the 9-3 Griffin range.

The OEM explained Colbeck will oversee Saab’s largest market, North America. Collbeck will report directly to Saab Automobile AB vice president and head of global sales and after-sales, Matthias Seidl and the Saab Cars North America board of directors.

Officials mentioned Colbeck comes to Saab with 25 years of industry experience in the United States with Subaru of America. Most recently he was the senior vice president of sales.

Under Colbeck’s direction, management highlighted Subaru of America achieved record sales and market share in the last two years and was the only brand to achieve sales increases in each of the last three years.

During his career at Subaru, Colbeck served in various executive roles with experience in sales, e-business, finance and fixed operations.

“Tim’s impressive accomplishments during his automotive career in rebuilding the Subaru brand are invaluable to the Saab team and represent his ability to further Saab’s vision for success,” Seidl emphasized.

“We are pleased to have Tim join our North American team during such an exciting time for Saab Cars North America, and we are confident Tim will help increase our brand image and sales,” Seidl continued.