BAIC C60, the First Chinese-Based Saab Comes in 2011

The efforts made by Chinese manufacturer BAIC to acquire some of the manufacturing technologies and platforms used by Swedish carmaker Saab are beginning to pay off, as it would appear the Chinese have already decided on the first use of the purchased rights.

According to wheelsunplugged.com, BAIC is preparing the model it calls C60, in fact a Chinese car based on the former platform of the Saab 9-3. The car will be offered, starting 2011, with two engine configurations, 2.0l and 2.3l, with the former to be available on four trims.

The manufacturer will likely not cut corners in terms of safety with their first Saab-based product and will fit it with ABD, EBD, EPS and traction control. Infotainment will be insured by a GPS system, Bluetooth and car phone, while comfort will be taken care of by cruise control and seats with memory function.

It's not clear whether Saab helped BAIC design the future C60, but the contract between the two sides stated for Saab engineers to assist BAIC in its efforts to create its own model.

As you remember, BAIC paid $200 million to GM and purchased from GM rights to three vehicle platforms, two engine technologies and two transmission systems. The technologies sold to BAIC refer to Saab 9-3 and 9-5 models, complete with tooling.

BAIC plans to make the best out of the newly acquired tech and plans to manufacture Saab-based cars in bulk. The annual capacity for such modes has been set at 300,000 units a year, with more than one model to be launched based on Saab platforms..