autoevolution
 

Saab Reborn as EV Maker?

Having followed the Saab story closely from the very beginning, we are finally relieved that the ailing Swedish carmaker has been purchased and is set to restart actual car production at some point in the (hopefully near) future.
Saab PhoeniX Concept 1 photo
Photo: Saab
Their buyers, NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden) will undoubtedly try to start production of ‘something’ as soon as possible. However, what will roll off the production line in Trollhättan may not be what you were expecting. Reports indicate that Saab will now make EVs which, at first, will be made for the Chinese market, with the first car reportedly being a 9-3-based EV.

Sadly, though, the excellent 9-5 will apparently not be making it back into production as GM is unwilling to give permission to the new owners to start making it - what a shame! However, we hope that the 9-5 too will be reborn as a “premium electric vehicle” made in Europe, for the European market.

Following the 9-3-based model, the next EV to be launched will be a Phoenix platform-based vehicle. You may remember the PhoeniX concept revealed by Saab at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show - it also previewed a new platform bearing the same name. It was originally intended to underpin a ‘new breed’ of Saabs, following the acquisition by Spyker, but will now be used in an upcoming EV.

Regardless of the new owners’ nationality, they must not forget (or ignore and neglect) the fact that Saab is a deeply European and Scandinavian company, deeply proud of its roots and heritage, which needs to be treaded as such in order to obtain true success and cult status in years to come, bringing Saab to the forefront of the automotive industry, albeit as an EV maker.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories