Scandinavian automotive supplier association, FKG, insists it is “realistic” to attract further carmakers to Sweden, citing its highly developed component base and the success of the UK in establishing itself as a powerful base for overseas manufacturers.
Sweden clearly has Volvo as its dominant automaker following the intensely drawn-out demise of Saab, but the component body believes the country’s vastly-experienced supply chain makes it ripe for new entrants.
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“I think it [new carmaker] is realistic,” FKG CEO, Fredrik Sidahl told just-auto from South Carolina as the association embarked on its tour of the Port of Charleston, the first of several infrastructure, supplier and OEM visits as part of the Go Global component initiative.
“It is a mistake we have made [not to attract new automakers]. We are interesting for car manufacturers, like the UK for Toyota [for example]. We have already a supplier system and we have great knowledge.
“There is also of course a need for it because today the Swedish supplier network [is] only supplying – if you are not exporting – we have only Volvo.”
FKG’s visit to South Carolina – which follows on from the Gothenburg-headquartered body inviting the State to address last October’s Suppliers Forum – is the latest in a whirlwind of initiatives designed to bang the Scandinavian component drum.
The association recently led a delegation to Iran – just months before international economic sanctions were lifted after decades of imposition – while its Go Global campaign has also seen it visit China and Brazil.
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) acquired the main assets of the former Saab Automobile in 2012 and is co-owned by National Modern Energy Holdings and Tianjin Binhai Hi-tech industrial Development Area (THT), as well as Beijing State Research Information Technology (SRIT).
