Saab set for EV reincarnation

Bankrupt marque, Saab, has been purchased by a Swedish-Japanese-Chinese group intent on electrifying the brand -- literally. The acquisition of the troubled Swedish carmaker is still a work-in-progress, however, National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS) has stated it will hit the market with an all-electric 9-3 based vehicle in late 2013.

Former PM John Howard once likened his prospects of regaining Liberal leadership to ‘Lazarus with a triple bypass’. Now, long-ailing Saab is shaping up the same way with the announcement of its EV for reincarnation.

This is a world first: a (once) major fossil-fuelled auto brand being bought out by an EV company. Saab, one of the early victims of progress, globalisation and the GFC, has moved like a hot potato from General Motors to administrators to Dutch niche sportscar maker Spyker NV in 2009, back to administrators last December and now to the newly convened NEVS, a company set up by Hong Kong and Japanese interests for the purpose. Administrators haven’t disclosed the money involved.

The deal does not include the marque’s global parts supply company, Saab Automobile Parts AB.

As such Saab Cars Australia has hastened to reassure local owners that the deal has no effect on parts availability or service. For the local operation, it’s business as usual in keeping the 37,000 (approx) Saabs in Australia and New Zealand on the road.

“We will continue to provide Saab owners with Saab Genuine Parts, service and technical support,” managing director Stephen Nicholls said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reports that NEVS is an international consortium owned 51:49 by two entities. The majority shareholder, Hong Kong-based National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd, was set up to sell alternative energy systems into China, while its partner, the Japanese Sun Investment LLC, specialises in environmental and sustainability technologies.

With plans to develop an EV using elements of the revised 9-3 platform the Swede had planned for 2013 release, NEVS has bought Saab’s production plant in Trollhättan, along with much of its powertrain development and tooling facilities.

Elements of Saab product hailing from the GM days have been excised from the deal, so expect silence on the larger 9-5, the 9-4 SUV and original 9-3 drive gear.

Notably, NEVS has also bought the hybrid Phoenix platform, first revealed at the 2011 Geneva motor show. It announced in its statement that alongside the 9-3 EV, the company is working on all-new model, "based on additional cutting-edge technology from Japan".

The initial focus for that vehicle will be China, projected to be the largest and most important EV market, the company said in its statement.

“China is investing heavily in developing the EV market, which is a key driver for the ongoing technology shift to reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” said Kai Johan Jiang, National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd founder and main shareholder.

“The Chinese can increasingly afford cars; however, the global oil supply would not suffice if they all buy petroleum-fuelled vehicles. Chinese customers demand a premium electric vehicle, which we will be able to offer by acquiring Saab.”

There’s no news yet on whether the original petrol-electric powertrain Saab had planned for Phoenix will go ahead. No performance numbers were made available, but Saab had expressed projections of 4.1L/100km and 119g/km CO2, making it possibly useful as a stepping stone if NEVS wants to get something out early.

The Phoenix concept also showcased IQon, Saab's Android-based communications platform. At the time, much was made of entertainment possibilities like music streaming, but more important was its use of online navigation systems, opening the way to all manner of telematic possibilities just as useful in a future EV as in anything that might have been set to come before it.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…