NEVS evaluates production of Saab 9-3 in 2013

[nordwulf]

Report from TTELA:


In summer, the classic 9-3 produced at Saab again. Nevs currently evaluating opportunities with suppliers.

- We have noticed that there is a strong demand, says Mikael Östlund at Nevs to TTELA.

This week, more than 500 suppliers to Saab, both in Sweden and abroad, approached by electric car consortium.

- What we do is we ask them to be a future supplier to us, says Östlund.

Common to all is that they previously supplied parts for Saab 9-3: a, which Nevs thus now has the rights to.

It is thus that Nevs evaluate whether it is possible to start producing the existing 9-3-ball again.

- No decisions have been made but we want to look at the feasibility, says Östlund.

- If so, we could bring forward the production of automobiles by 2013. But our previous business plan with electric cars is definitely there and we plan to release our first electric vehicle early 2014th

Nevs vill tillverka 9-3 - Saab - www.ttela.se

[nordwulf]

From sverigesradio.se:

Nevs want to build 9-3

Saab's new owners Nevs now evaluating the possibility to manufacture the current Saab 9-3: an, state Nevs press officer Mikael Östlund for P4 West. The reason is that they have noticed a big demand. It's about conventional cars, said Nevs press officer Mikael Östlund. - We now want to evaluate the possibility to bring forward the start of production of the 9-3 model and the conventional drivetrain the summer of 2013, says Mikael Östlund.

When can a decision be taken? - We must return. Now we take contact with subcontractors to create long term relationships with them. And in connection with that we open because we want to evaluate this possibility. Since the demand is so, we would also look into the possibility to meet it. This involves around 500 contractors who now get the question from Nevs.

Mikael Östlund can not say anything about what this means for the number of employees in Trollhättan. Joachim Lind is CEO at Ana Trollhattan, one of the supplier companies. He is in favor of Nevs plans if they want to build 9-3 grade. - It's funny that they come up with it and I agree. We have quite a big demand locally at 9-3 and Saabs in general. We have quite a lot of used cars that we sell in good volumes and we ran out of new cars so I would absolutely welcome if Nevs starts production again and we can sell new Saabs, says

[Dave T]

If makes a lot of sense if the 9-3 electric is not too different from the current 9-3 and can be made on the same production line.

I thought that production of a NEVS 9-3 electric alone is better than nothing if it keeps parts production going. Even if only a few parts, such as the trunk lid, brake lights, seat belts, and other parts are the same as before, then it will be easier to keep current 9-3's on the road.

[SaabBoon]

This car is, and continues to fall out-of-date. The only way there can be demand for this vehicle, who's fuel economy is behind, electronics are behind, safety is now behind, is if they sell it for a very affordable / cheap price.

The electric car niche may be the only place it can survive... Dealers who claim there is demand must be crazy if they would rather sell this ancient vehicle rather than switch to a different make and sell something more mainstream and competitive.

[nordwulf]

It sounds like another delusional idea to support their questionable business plan of building electric cars based on a 10 year old car in Europe for export to China. Even if they are really, really cheap as Matt mentions, what about the dealer network, warranty and such?

What engine are they going to use? Does GM allow them to keep building the ecotec engines? What about starting up the entire factory with employees, R&D and getting the suppliers on board?

Perhaps they can find a few customers in Sweden but that's about it.