there will be no electric Saab 9-3, his curse falls on NEVS

Many will remember Saab like the Swedish car brand that disappeared without a trace. The truth is that she left him, although in exchange for a ransom from China that would change her into electrical brand. It was founded in Sweden in 1945 as a subsidiary of the aeronautical company Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB), which was initially dedicated to the production of airplanes, although two years later the business diversified and cars arrived.

The years in the 50’s and 60’s were those of their innovative models such as the Saab 92. In the 70s, it introduced safety improvements such as a deformable chassis or three-point seat belts. The 1980s brought its international expansion, reaching the US and European markets and flagship models such as the Saab 900 and 9000. At the end of the 1990s, it was acquired by General Motors, which allowed it to launch its most successful models, d ‘ he announced. Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5.

The curse: say goodbye to the electric Saab 9-3?

In 2010 economic problems began and it was acquired by the Dutch company Spyker Cars until it declared bankruptcy in 2011. In June 2012, a Chinese investment firm acquired its assets, known as Sweden’s National Electric Vehicle (NEVS). was his plan produce only electric carsstarting with a Saab 9-3 version. During the negotiations regarding the rights to the technology and the names, Saab Automobile AB ceased to exist as a brand, with only the aviation and commercial vehicle divisions of Saab AB and Scania AB continuing.

Now, history repeats itself. Just over ten years after the Saab assets were repossessed, NEVS could face the same fate. The company has decided to take a break to reorganize its future and its employees. this “winter plan”, as they describe it, it is their only lifeline.

Nina Selander, NEVS interim CEO, after expressing his “deep regret”. This situation means that “we will be forced to reduce all costs and make redundancies in all areas of the business,” he says. “Our decision comes after our owners, Evergrande, and our potential investors, were unable to conclude negotiations in accordance with our contract.”

The development of Saab 9-3 electric, originally intended for the Chinese market, was discontinued. he winter mode it means dismissal 95% of its workers suggesting that the end of the brand is near. “The relevant unions are organizing to give the necessary support and legal advice to all our workers in a process that will last for the next six months,” says Selander.