Zombie Automaker Saab Could Be Back From the Dead Again
Like a zombie, Swedish automaker Saab just keeps coming back from the dead.
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which owns Saab, took another step towards becoming a player in the electric car segment by obtaining approval for a factory in China that could manufacture up to 200,000 vehicles a year.
The company’s electric vehicle production license was approved by the Chinese National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) and allows NEVS to officially begin production of its vehicles, reports Green Car Congress. Companies must receive approval from the NDRC before manufacturing electric cars in China.
NEVS, which is a joint venture company that has investors from within and outside of China, is the first of its kind to get its investment approved by the NDRC. As of right now, the NDRC is requiring companies to get approval before going ahead and investing in the automotive industry within China. The government, though, is working on a plan to make it easier for foreign automakers to invest in the country.
The plant in Tianjin, China, is still under construction, states NEVS, but should be operational by the end of the year. When the facility is up and running, it will have the ability to manufacture up to 200,000 electric passenger vehicles a year.
SEE ALSO: Saab Owner NEVS Announces New Lineup
The electric vehicle segment is booming in China. NEVS already has an order that will see the company manufacturing vehicles for the first three years after the plant in Tianjin opens. Panda New Energy, an energy vehicle leasing company in the country, placed an order of 150,000 of NEVS’ 9-3 electric sedans in 2015. According to the company, the deal could be worth as much as $12-billion.
Ever since acquiring Saab’s assets in 2012, NEVS has turned Saab’s old vehicles into electric ones that would first be used to serve China’s expanding market and then globally in the future. A large manufacturing plant solidifies the automaker as a serious competitor.
A version of this story originally appeared on HybridCars
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No, there will not be any new Saabs made. SAAB AB took away the rights to the SAAB trademark because of all the shenanigans that went on.
I have a Hazelnut SAAB 9-3, 2 Liter that I have $6000.00 invested in! I have only driven it a thousand (1000 miles) and I am looking to get back just 1/2 my investment. I have many brand name new top of the line parts installed.It needs extremely minor works,can be done in a couple hours at best! These parts are quite easy to find OEM as well! I always buy the best I can afford. But I now have to sell it because I have a Honda CRV I bought for the AWD due to the New England winters. This car FLIES and the gas mileage is exceptional!The turbo is flawless as well as NO leaks at all! If I had the time and a plce to store it I would keep it,never sell it. But I have to part with it sadly! I am asking 3000.00 and this is am extremely fair price given what I have into the car... Contact me and we can talk. I am in Connecticut!