BAIC Preparing Own Saab Models for 2011

2009 was a very important year for Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co., Ltd. (BAIC), as the company purchased some of the distressed SAAB’s assets from the Swedish manufacturer’s owner, General Motors.

According to chinacartimes, Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (BAW), a subsidiary of BAIC, acquired several SAAB models, with the sale including three platforms and two turbocharged engines and the Chinese company intends to make use of all these next year. BAW is planning to produce its own “Baw-aab” cars and sell them in the Chinese market. The Chinese company even bought the production line for the outgoing Saab 9-5, as we reported back in December.

To accomplish its plan, BAW hired a team of Saab engineers (soon after the sale was perfected) which would help the company create its own vehicle. The production starting target was set for early 2011, as the aforementioned source wrote.

This know-how transfer does not only imply the theoretical part but also includes support for the production process. One of the most difficult task for the Saab engineers will be to offer their Chinese client a complete view of the car’s high-tech components, one which would enable the latter to fully understand these complicated parts of the car.

This year will almost certainly see at least two more Chinese takeovers. GM will make another brand transfer, as the company is expected to sell the entire Hummer brand to Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery and Chinese carmaker Geely should buy Volvo from Ford Motor Company.