Saab is Dead. Like, DEAD Dead
For real this time.
After entering bankruptcy in 2011 and getting saved by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) and Chinese backers, Saab as a brand is officially dead. But that doesn’t mean its products won’t live on, as NEVS still intends to produce a vehicle based on the Saab 9-3, but with a full-electric powertrain for the Chinese market. NEVS plans to stick to its original plan when it first acquired Saab, which was to focus on sustainable mobility with electric car offerings and new mobility solutions built around them.
SEE ALSO: Saab Owner NEVS Announces New Lineup
The company has also signed deals with firms in China and Turkey to either supply vehicles or license technology. For now, NEVS will produce its vehicles at the old Saab plant in Trollhättan, but is eventually working towards production in China.
NEVS is also sticking to its plan of developing new models based on Saab’s Phoenix platform, with an ambitious timeline of introducing its first new model in 2018. Other vehicles on the drawing board include three SUVs and a sports sedan with coupe-like styling.
“Building on our car manufacturing heritage, we will continue to focus on quality, craftsmanship and people-centric solutions, but we will add new dimensions to our business through our partnerships and collaborations,” said NEVS President Mattias Bergman in a statement. “In doing so, we will leave the Saab trademark and go forth with a new identity that will support our large and increasingly important vision—to shape mobility for a more sustainable future.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Sucks. No company that offered as many industry-firsts and innovations as SAAB should go out of business. I will always hate gm for this. They ran them into the ground and just left them to die. Too bad SAAB couldnt go running to their government with hands out, begging for a bailout....like some companies.
since SAAB is dead, shouldn't they sell off the name and raise some capital?