The parent company of Saab – the iconic Swedish car-maker which went bankrupt a decade ago – will reportedly return to produce an electric car. But the new Chinese-Japanese owned company may not hold the rights to use the defunct nameplace.
The Asian owners of defunct Swedish car-maker Saab are reportedly set to be saved from bankruptcy for a second time – but it’s unclear as to whether the parent company will have the right to use the iconic name on its electric cars.
In March 2023, it was reported that National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) – the Chinese-Japanese parent company which purchased Saab in its dying days – had been placed into “hibernation mode” as it approached bankruptcy, with approximately 320 of its 340 employees subsequently laid off.
However, a recent report by Swedish publication Auto Motor and Sport Sweden – first spotted by Saab Planet – claims an unnamed investor has signed a letter of intent to purchase NEVS’ assets, which includes its recently-revealed ‘Emily GT’ electric-car project.
MORE: Saab’s bankruptcy saviour that never made it
NEVS Emily GT prototype
The Emily GT was unveiled by NEVS in May as a showcase of what the company was working on before it entered hibernation – a sleek electric-car built by former Saab engineers.
Headline figures included four electric motors (one powering each wheel) – which NEVS claimed could produce up to 356kW – and a 175kWh battery (105kWh and 140kWh packs also planned) with a claimed driving range of 1000km.
Of the 20 Emily GTs which were planned to be built as prototypes, just six were produced before NEVS’ parent company, Evergrande, first encountered financial difficulties in 2020.
According to Auto Motor and Sport Sweden, the unnamed investor has requested for NEVS to continue development of the Emily GT in Trollhättan – the former home of Saab production from 1949 to 2013.
NEVS Emily GT prototype
While fellow Swedish car-makers Volvo and Polestar – both now Chinese-owned – have committed to a future of producing electric vehicles, it’s unclear whether NEVS has the right to use Saab’s name on any potential future models.
In August 2014, NEVS entered administration and the Saab Group – the defence company and former owner of the car-maker – withdrew the rights for the firm to use the Saab name.
In a subsequent report earlier this week, Saab Planet published claims that the name “Stallbacka Mobility AB” – referencing the suburb in which Saab’s factory was located – had been registered in Sweden, with its CEO listed as NEVS’ current president.
Saab Australia was officially placed into voluntary administration in January 2013, which resulted in the closure of its Port Melbourne office.
The Saab name continues to operate globally, working as a defence and aerospace company – developing fighter jets, submarines and anti-tank weapons.
According to Saab’s website, its Australian defence arm employs 700 people across six office locations.
The post Saab brand could be resurrected for electric-car production – report appeared first on Drive.