Saab Automobile

(CEO and President)

Lennart Ståhl, Managing Director

Saab Automobile is a Swedish automobile manufacturer. The company was founded as a production division of the aircraft manufacturer Saab in 1947 from 2000 to 2010, a subsidiary of the U.S. company General Motors, GM sold in February 2010 the majority of the company to Spyker Cars. After the bankruptcy in late 2011, it was purchased by the newly formed consortium NEVS. After GM had denied important licenses for current models, rested production. In contrast, Saab Automobile Parts manufactures continue Spare parts for Saab vehicles.

In September 2013 NEVS started the production of the pre-production work in Trollhättan. Built for the time being again the Saab 9-3, which in 2014 also appear as an electric car.

4.1 Examples of Saab developments
4.2 Special
4.3 Other Activities
4.4 Models
4.5 Concept Cars and studies

History

As an independent car manufacturer

The first car was presented on June 10, 1947 Saab 92001, which was produced from 1949 Saab 92 in series. In 1969 Saab trucks manufacturer Scania and changed its name since then as Saab - Scania.

The Saab 92 was developed over a long time and thus became the Saab 93 and 96 as the second product line in 1968 was the slightly larger 99 introduced, which was a new development and has also been further developed in the subsequent period to 900 (with many common parts ). From 1969 Saab vehicles were also produced in Finland at Saab - Valmet, including only there the Saab Finlandia.

Saab sales in Scandinavia, the Lancia Delta as the Saab 600 and was also involved in its development. Although the vehicle as such was not a commercial success, the second joint project developed a model of the upper middle class. Saab brought the 9000 on the market, and the Lancia topic. However, both models reported in technical point of view in many areas standalone solutions. The development later also joined Fiat and Alfa Romeo. The 9000 was to 2010 (after the 9-5 ) is the largest built Saab. Several failed projects, the 900 develop a successor at competitive prices from this 9000, then led at Saab Scania to the effort to find a suitable partner for the further development of the auto sector, which appeared in 1989 with General Motors found.

Takeover by GM

After losses in the Automotive sector in 1989 and failed cooperation plans with Ford Saab - Scania entered into a partnership with the US-based General Motors in December 1989. In March 1990, the joint venture, Saab Automobile AB was founded with the vehicle sector of Saab - Scania AB then; the company's shares were 50% each at GM and Saab. Since the new spin-off of Scania AB, the parent company changed its name from Saab AB. The first product of the new corporate structure was published in 1993 900 the second generation, which was based on the so-called " GM2900 " platform, which was developed by Opel and eg was used in the Opel Vectra. In January 2000, Saab AB sold its remaining shares. The Saab Automobile AB was thus wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors.

With the exception of a brief period of success in the 90s generated Saab Automobile since 1989 always losses that were caused by corresponding sales bookings of the parent company GM. Saab also took over development and production services for GM, the Cadillac BLS was developed by Saab and built from 2006 to 2009 in Trollhättan.

2007, the company reported an operating loss of the equivalent of 201 million euros, a year before that it was 267 million euros. The heavily damaged by the international economic crisis, GM 's parent company declared mid-February 2009 that he wanted to go back the financial support for Saab and Saab detach until 1 January 2010 from the Group.

On 20 February 2009, the company sought bankruptcy protection ( " Företagsrekonstruktion " ), under Swedish law, a precursor of bankruptcy, but it also announced the continuation of production. On 25 February 2009, production had, however - following a decision by the Swedish customs - are stopped already for a day. The company could no longer pay the customs fees for material deliveries. The Swedish government refused several times from state aid and a new owner is not found. As part of a restructuring Saab dismissed 701 employees in April 2009.

Takeover by Spyker

On 11 June 2009 it was announced that the Swedish sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg a buyer for Saab had been found. The purchase was agreed on 16 June 2009 and should be completed by the end of the year, but he was delayed once because not granted loans from the European Investment Bank ( EIB) (approx. 450 million euro ), which on 21 October in the amount of 400 million Euros were finally assured. On 9 September 2009 an agreement for a minority stake between Koenigsegg and Beijing City owned BAIC Group at the Koenigsegg Group was announced, which lack financial resources should be ensured.

After negotiations for a complete sale of the Swedish Koenigsegg Group in October 2009 said this on 24 November 2009 from the takeover. The Chinese carmaker BAIC took over technology and production equipment of the models 9-3 and 9-5.

On 18 December 2009, GM announced that the negotiations on the sale of Saab had failed and that the Company shall be wound up by the end of the year. On 21 December, the Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker submitted a new offer. To a new deadline of January 7, 2010 were available several bids. On January 26 it was announced that GM had reached an agreement with Spyker. The purchase price should be at 74 million USD in cash and 324 million USD in the form of preference shares, which was founded as a successor of Spyker Saab Spyker Automobiles, which GM would continue to be a major shareholder.

GM wanted to support Saab Spyker by the production of the Saab 9-4X in Mexico, the supply of powertrains, development services and maintenance / warranty takeover. The sale was still hanging by a credit ( 400-550 million euros, depending on the source ) of the EIB from the Saab needed for new developments, and for which the Swedish government should guarantee. The shareholders of Spyker agreed to the acquisition of the Swedish automaker Saab on February 12, 2010. On 23 February, the sale was completed and Saab went into the possession of Spyker.

Under Spyker

End of March 2011 began suppliers because of outstanding debts for the supply of components set. Saab had then in the first week of April, the automobile assembly plant in Trollhättan stop only once. In early May, the Chinese wanted Group Huatai Motor Group to join as a strategic partner in Saab, but had to desist a few days later of these plans, since he was not able to provide the necessary permits.

On 16 May 2011, the Chinese auto retail group Pang joined since an investor in appearance and announced that he wanted to purchase for 65 million euros 24 per cent of the parent company Spyker Cars and establish joint venture for sales and production in China, as well as on-site vehicles from Saab and a new Chinese brand to manufacture. After Pang Da had made an upfront payment of 30 million euros for 1200 to be delivered cars, Saab resumed production on 27 May on again. Already in the second week of June, there was a renewed production stop, as a basic supply shortages were again given.

On June 22, 2011 failed talks with suppliers relating to the rescheduling of debts. A day later, a spokeswoman for the company told that Saab was not in a position to pay the wages and salaries for the month of June. During the following days Saab took a loan from an investment company on, sold 50 percent of the shares in their own factories and received an upfront payment for 582 vehicles from an unnamed Chinese customer. In this way it was possible Saab to generate cash and cash equivalents totaling EUR 66 million and to pay it on the 29th June, MSF.

While Saab paid the July wages of workers in time for the end of the month, the payment of the salaries of 1,600 employees only took place on August 5. The necessary funds procured the parent Swedish Automobile by a sale of treasury shares to the investment company GEM Global Yield Fund. The end of August had Saab admit, even in August not to be able to pay employees on time. The reason, the company stated that committed by investors' funds were not yet arrived. There followed the announcement, in the event of late payment again to take legal action by trade unions.

Following the announcement of half -year loss of 224 million euros Saab filed for bankruptcy on September 7, 2011 bankruptcy protection. The company wanted to use the protection of a restructuring, it also came as an impending bankruptcy filing by the unions before. On 8 September 2011 the District Court Vänersborg rejected the application on the grounds that there is no credible concept for a permanent restoration vorliege. The parent company Swedish Automobile announced on the same day, its intention to appeal against the decision. On September 12th two employee unions bankruptcy petition against Saab to secure unpaid salaries of its members. Saab introduced the announced appeal filed for bankruptcy protection and announced it expected shortly a referral from the Chinese company Youngman.

23 October 2011 Saab announced that the contracts with the Chinese partners were terminated because the bridge money that should be used for the payment of salaries, were not transferred. On October 28, 2011 it was announced that the two Chinese companies Youngman and Pang Da for 100 million euros will be borne by the parent company Swedish Automobile all Saab shares. 19 December 2011, Saab filed for bankruptcy after General Motors had rejected as previous owners all rescue plans for the Swedish carmaker. Its approval would have been required, since Saab still took advantage of numerous patents from the common time, which were not transferred to the new owner.

Acquisition by NEVS and divestment of Saab Parts

The new company, National Electric Vehicle Sweden ( NEVS ) took over in June 2012 and real estate of the former Saab Automobile as well as the rights to their vehicles and the new platform Phoenix. NEVS wants to develop electric cars in Trollhättan and bring to market in 2014. Basis of the first vehicle, which is to be produced as an electric vehicle next to the version with internal combustion engine in 2014, is the current 9-3.

After completion of negotiations with the defense group Saab these vehicles will carry the Saab name, but not the old logo because the owner of this Scania now wants to use exclusively. In January 2013, a new logo was introduced, which was designed by Stockholm Design Lab. It includes the traditional lettering, which is framed by a circle.

Not taken over by NEVS was the Saab Parts, which is responsible for the supply of spare parts of previous models and produces spare parts in the Saab plant - when the bankruptcy proceedings it was nationalized and now operates under the name Orio AB. Between Saab Parts and NEVS a cooperation has been agreed. The domain saabparts.com is used by the Orio AB, NEVS uses saabcars.com.

In January 2013, cooperation between NEVS, NEVSs parent company National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd. and the Chinese city of Qingdao has been agreed, which provides for the construction of an automobile factory in the city with an annual capacity of 400,000 vehicles and an interest of 22 % stake in Saab.

August 2013 NEVS was confident in the fall of 2013 in Trollhättan regularly to resume the production of type 9-3 and to create an advancement of the electric vehicle by 2014. On September 18, 2013 started the production of pre-production in early December 2013, the series production; after presentation of the facelift model 2014 exports are planned again.

Corporate Structure

In 2008, Saab sold 93 295 vehicles, 25 percent less than in 2007 and 1.1 percent of total sales of General Motors. In 2009, the production of 20,950 ( with sales of 39,800 at the cost of inventories at Saab dealers ), 2010 32 048.

Since 2004, the control was carried out by GM 's European headquarters in Switzerland. The Saab - area GM Powertrain Sweden was responsible for engine development in the field of turbo and bioethanol technology in GM. The original GM Powertrain Sweden belonging works for motors and gear have been sold in 2008. At Saab Automobile were so 2009 or the work and development departments in Trollhättan, as well as a design center and a marketing department in Mölnlycke ( near Gothenburg ). In the fall of 2009, the concentration of all design and development activities in Trollhättan was. Saab even early 2010 were still about 3,400 employees.

Brand and corporate design

The trademarks of Saab lie with the defense group Saab. It was once a logo with a stylized aircraft later used only the lettering. From the late 1980s a logo with the emblem of the province of Skåne was introduced, with the elimination of this Scania also took over the trademark rights to the logo. Once all three companies were organized into a group. Saab Automobile used in its corporate design consistently the Gill Sans font.

The new company NEVS will use the brand name for its Saab vehicles, but not the logo used since the 1980s with the grip. On 14 January 2013, a new logo and a "visual presence" for Saab was presented. The new logo is a circle with a ring at the edge and the well-known letters " SAAB " in the middle, while the design includes among others the SAAB logo in a version in which the letters with designs from the Scandinavian seasons (forest, northern lights, stars filled ) The new font is Akzidenz-Grotesk.

Products

Based on experience in aircraft is also presented with the cars great importance to the aerodynamics. Freed from the conventions of the traditional car manufacturer Saab rapidly acquired the reputation of an innovative company that has been consistently maintained. Became famous for the brand by successes in rallying.

The designer of the Saab Automobile from the Ur -Saab up to the Saab 99 was the Swede Sixten Sason (born Karl -Erik Sixten Andersson, 1912-1967 ), who was also involved in the development of medium-format camera Hasselblad 1600 F.

In Europe known long-standing model series were the smaller Saab 900 (also available as a convertible ) and the larger Saab 9000th As one of the first manufacturers Saab dominated the construction of stable turbo engines with direct ignition. Increasing the Performance of sports models traditionally wear the nickname Aero (formerly also Viggen ).

Since the entry of many General Motors GM parts were used (eg Epsilon platform and GM Powertrain engine blocks ). However, still there was a Saab - specific optimization of engines ( engine electronics own Trionic 8, turbocharged ) and suspension ( co-steering rear axle). In design, there is no match with other GM models is apparent. For the construction of new models there have been various plans. So Saab had the Cadillac BLS develop and finance, further a new " Premium" platform against their use GM then decided (but Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 159). It was also considered the new Saab 9-3 (from about 2012) to build in a Opel factory and / or the new 9-5 ( as of 2010 ) of with the same platform Opel Insignia in the GM plant in Rüsselsheim, the ancestral home Opel. To this should be 9-1 (also called 9-2) built on the GM Delta platform at the main plant in Trollhattan from 2010 a new, smaller Saab. It was also considered the next 9-3 build on this Delta platform, the new Opel Astra J is based on the end of 2009. Since 2002, the Swiss tuning operation Hirsch 's performance of official factory tuner Saab. The tuned cars are sold under the label Saab Performance by Hirsch.

Starting in 2010, all model series were built in Trollhättan factory, also ( since 11 January 2010) ever built in the Contract Manufacturing at Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria Saab 9-3 Convertible .. Currently NEVS working on a new version of the Saab 9-3 with either normal are manufactured internal combustion engine as well as an electric car factory in Trollhättan both variants. The new model is based on the Phoenix platform. In the long term, an additional manufacturing in China is provided.

Examples of Saab developments

First side impact protection in the automotive industry in Ursaab ( Saab 92). As in Sweden about every sixth car accident was caused by a laterally jumping in or on a car moose, a stable passenger cell was there already necessary prior to the current high volume of traffic. The first Saab was therefore hung upside down and dropped from several meters to the ground to test the stability of the passenger compartment and improve. This already made the first Saab to the safest, albeit on the basis of DKW two-stroke engine is not most reliable car of its time.
1964 diagonally split dual circuit brake system in the Saab 95 and 96, later general level of safety.
1978 First cabin air filter (pollen filter)
1980 Introduction of the Automatic Performance Control (APC )
1985 The direct ignition with spark plug directly above the built-up ignition coil for each cylinder makes both the distributor and the spark plug wires redundant
1991 first version of the Trionic engine management system, the first with 32- bit processor
1993 Introduction of the Night Panel: By pressing a button the instrument will switch to night mode - This Night panel shows the driver only essential information, so that he will not be distracted in the dark.
1993 The award-winning Safe Seat concept improved in the 900 II, the safety of the rear seats by means of an attached at its upper edge, massive cross member
1996 were developed and built by Saab active head restraints. The Saab Active Head Restraints ( SAHR ) called system reduces accidents at the risk of whiplash injuries.
1997 Saab 9-5 was the first car equipped with ventilated front seats
2007 was developed in cooperation with Haldex Haldex clutch fourth generation, which is called at Saab XWD with (cross wheel drive ).

Special

In almost all models of Saab, the ignition switch is in the center console.

The Saab models 900 -II, 9-3 and 9-5 are often equipped with the Night Panel function:

Double sun visor above the windshield

Outside handles of the doors with special grip

Board computer and SID ( Saab Information Display )

Other activities

Under the name SAABO a caravan was produced in the 1960s, because there was no caravan until then with a certain speed could be exceeded. The design was borrowed from the automotive design. The external company Toppola later offered to a small camper for Saab models.

Under the name Saab CFME the company produced friction tester for airports. This division was very small and was spun off from GM in the henceforth independent company CFME, also the company SARSYS produced friction tester on Saab - base.

The Saab Performance Team organized public demonstrations (some acrobatic kind ) with vehicles and also organized safety training. It now operates as DynaTech Performance Team of the automotive supplier DynaTech.

Models

Cooperation with Fiat: identical with the Lancia Delta ( for Scandinavia ); identical parts with the Fiat, Lancia and Alfa- Model
Cooperation with GM Subaru: identical to the Subaru Impreza ( for the U.S. market )
Based on GM platforms: GM2900; GM Epsilon; GMT360 (only for the U.S. market ); GM's Epsilon II; GM Theta (only for the U.S. market )

Saab 92 (1949-1956, 1952 92B )
Saab 93 (1955-1960, from 1957 93B, 93F from 1959 )
Saab Sonett I ( " Saab 94 ", 1955-1957 )
Saab GT750 (1958 sports version of Saab 93)
Saab 96 (1960-1980, from 1967 as 96V4 )
Saab 95 (1960-1978, station wagon version of the 96, from 1967 as 95V4 )
Saab Sport ( " GT850 " 1962 sports version of Saab 96)
Saab Sonett II ( " Saab 97 ", 1966-1970 )
Saab 99 (1968-1984)
Saab Sonett III (1970-1974)
Saab Lancia 600 ( sold only in the Nordic countries from 1980 to 1983, version of the Lancia Delta )
Saab 900 (1978-1998)
Saab 90 (1984-1987)
Saab 9000 (1985-1998)
Saab 9-5 (1997-2010, second generation: 2010-2011)
Saab 9-3 (1998-2003, second generation: 2002-2011 and again from 2013 )
Cadillac BLS (2006-2009), Saab Cadillac optics, built by order of GM
Saab 9-2X (2004-2007, identical to the Subaru Impreza, for the U.S. market )
Saab 9- 7X (2005-2008, identical to the Chevrolet Trailblazer, for the U.S. market )
Saab 9- 3X ( 2009-2011)
Saab 9- 4X ( 2011)

Current Models: 9-3

Historic Models: 9- 3X | 9-5 | 9-4X | 90 | 92 | 93 | 95/96 | 99 | 900 | 9000 | 9-2X | 9-7X | Ursaab | Sonnet | GT750 | Sports | Finlandia | Lancia 600

Concept cars and studies

Saab 92001 ( " Ursaab ", 1947)
Saab Monster ( 1959)
Saab 60 (1962 )
Saab Quantum ( 1962)
Saab Catherina (1964 )
Saab MFI13 (1965 )
Saab Toad (1966 )
Saab 98 ( 1974)
Saab EV-1 (1985)
Saab 9-X (2001)
Saab 9- 3X ( 2002)
Saab 9-3 Sport Hatch ( 2003)
Saab 9-5 Aero BioPower (2006)
Saab Aero -X ( 2006)
Saab 9-3 Convertible with 221 kW/300 PS (2006)
Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept with 221 kW/300 PS (2008)
Saab 9-X Bio - Hybrid ( 2008)

See also the based on the Saab 9-5 concept car Bertone Novanta.

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