Saab Group

Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman

Saab AB is a Swedish aerospace and defense company. Founded in 1937 as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget ( which later became " Saab " was derived as an acronym ) company had since 1947 a car division, which was renamed as Saab Automobile AB from 1990 to 2000 was completely separated from the group. 1968 Saab merged with the truck manufacturer Scania and changed its name to the separation of the merger in 1995 as Saab - Scania.

History

The company was founded in 1937 for the construction of military aircraft as a merger of AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna with the Svenska Flygmotor AB in Linköping (Sweden). In the first period only licensed products were produced, such as the German bomber Ju 86A or the American NA - 16th 1940, began production in Trollhättan. In the same year, the first own design from Saab, the two-seat dive bomber Saab 17, which was used until 1948 when Flygvapnet and also exported to Ethiopia arose. Another success was the twin-engine Saab 18 of 1942. It was produced in 242 copies, and from 1944 to 1956 as a bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, dive bomber and torpedo bomber used.

The first jet aircraft was the Saab 1947 for the first time flown Saab 21R, an evolution of the Saab 21 first flew in 1955 one of the greatest achievements of the Company in aircraft, the single-seat Saab 35 Draken. From this equipped with an unconventional double delta Structural interceptor created 606 pieces that were exported to Finland, Denmark and Austria and fly some still do. Modern military aircraft types is the Saab JAS -39 Gripen.

1999 Saab acquired a stake in the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Celsius. The following year, Celsius AB and its subsidiary Bofors was fully acquired and sold the division for Heavy weapons to United Defense. The remaining missile production has been operating since 2000 as the Saab Bofors Dynamics. In June 2006, Saab took over from Ericsson, both the defense division, Ericsson Microwave Systems AB (EMW ) and the shares in the joint venture Saab Ericsson Space AB ( SES). SES was renamed under the name Saab Space as a business unit of Saab. She owned, among other things, the company Austrian Aerospace in Austria. In July 2008, Saab was sold to RUAG Space.

In early December 2011, Switzerland decided to purchase 22 fighter jets of the type " Saab JAS -39 Gripen ". The weaker from a performance point of " Gripen " prevailed against the Rafale and Euro Fighter. The lower costs were the main reason for the decision, but new aircraft were only 22 instead of the original 33 ordered. The purchase price is around 3.1 billion francs. The offers of the competitors were higher by about 1 billion Swiss francs.

Motor vehicles

The first car was the prototype Saab 92001 ( " Ursaab " ), which was completed on 10 June 1947. From 1949 produced the Saab 92 Saab developed from it in series. In addition, Saab -founded in 1968 with the Finnish company Valmet in Finland, the joint venture Saab - Valmet for the production of automobiles in Finland. In 1969 Saab trucks manufacturer Scania and changed its name since then as Saab - Scania.

After losses in the automotive division in 1989 and failed cooperation plans with Ford Saab - Scania entered into a partnership with the US-based General Motors in December 1989. The joint venture, Saab Automobile AB was a result, in March 1990 from the vehicle sector of Saab - Scania AB was founded. The company's shares were 50% each at GM and Saab. 1992 Saab sold its shares in Saab - Valmet. In 1995, the demerger of Scania AB and the company was renamed the Saab - Scania in Saab AB. In January 2000, Saab AB sold the remaining shares of Saab Automobile AB to General Motors. Saab AB had so completely disconnected from the vehicle production.

Under GM failed to lead Saab Automobile economically, still had to Saab numerous development work for the American group afford. GM sold Saab to Spyker small manufacturers who could not raise the necessary funds to rehabilitate the company. When he retired, GM refused new prospects for Saab Automobile important licenses for existing products, including the two Chinese partners Pang Da and Youngman On 19 December 2011, the company management announced the filing of a bankruptcy petition known, after all negotiations had failed with potential buyers. General Motors blocked the sale to two Chinese companies to his technique not to cede to Chinese investors.

Since 2012, the company NEVS working on a new recording of the production of Saab cars. Had to be replaced all the components on which GM still holds rights or which come from suppliers who did not survive the termination of production. In the fall of 2013, the first pre-production vehicles were produced, since December Saab 9-3 being produced again, after a great facelift 2014, vehicles are also offered worldwide again. Parallel to a facelift electric version will be presented.

Group structure

The shares are held mostly by institutional investors, the second largest shareholder is Investor AB. Saab manufactures both civilian and military aircraft. The largest buyer of combat aircraft is the Swedish Air Force. Saab is also supplier for other aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus ( for example, parts of the fuselage and wing structure) or NHI ( body parts).