Business Notes AUTOMOBILES

With its turbocharged engine and curvilinear profile, the Swedish-built Saab 900 was a chariot of choice for arrivistes of the mid-1980s. But now Saab- Scania's auto division is hitting the skids, largely because of intensified competition and a relatively weak dollar that has pushed the cost of Saab's newest 9000 turbo model to a base price of $30,795. The parent company confirmed rumors last week that it is discussing a possible linkup with Ford, which could give the Swedish company's finances a boost. The U.S. automaker is believed to be particularly interested in ventures with the Swedish company's very profitable truck division.

In another sign of red-hot rivalry in the U.S. market, General Motors' Oldsmobile division said last week that it would adopt a novel guarantee: Oldsmobile will allow buyers of its new cars who are dissatisfied for any reason to return the autos within 30 days (or 1,500 miles) for full credit on a different Olds.