National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), a consortium of Swedish and Chinese stakeholders, has finalized its acquisition of Saab, including the rights for the Saab 9-3, the Phoenix platform, and the manufacturing plant, test and laboratory facilities in Trollhättan, Sweden. The new company will be solely dedicated to development and manufacturing of EVs.
NEVS majority shareholder Kai Johan Jiang said, “China is investing heavily in developing the EV market, which is a key driver for the ongoing technology shift to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The Chinese can increasingly afford cars; however, the global oil supply would not suffice if they all buy petroleum-fueled vehicles. Chinese customers demand a premium electric vehicle, which we will be able to offer by acquiring Saab Automobile in Trollhättan. Engineering and development of our first electric vehicle has been underway for an extended period in China and Japan, and now, with the manufacturing facilities in our possession, we are able to continue development work on site at Trollhättan.”
NEVS Chairman Karl-Erling Trogen said, “I am delighted that we can build on Saab Automobile’s skills in vehicle design and production to start a new future-oriented venture in Trollhättan, where world class manufacturing facilities are available. We will match Swedish automobile design and manufacturing experience with Japanese EV technology and a strong presence in China. Electric vehicles powered by clean electricity are the future, and the electric car of the future will be produced in Trollhättan. The efforts to implement our business plan can now be multiplied, focused on the development of a world-class electric vehicle in Trollhättan. In approximately 18 months, we plan to introduce our first electric vehicle based on Saab 9-3 technologies and a new technology electric powertrain.”
Source: NEVS
Image: 2011 Saab PhoeniX Concept