Saab says it is already testing prototype alternative propulsion systems in Beijing ahead of a proposed electric vehicle launch next year through the auspices of its new owner.
The National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) division will start production imminently of its much-vaunted 9-3 petrol/diesel model at its home plant in Trollhattan, but is firmly eying the Swedish market for its alternative propulsion plans.
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“The electric side will come next year,” a NEVS spokesman told just-auto on a visit to the Trollhattan plant in Western Sweden. “We have prototypes in Beijing now, we are testing powertrain, motor and batteries today, mostly in Beijing.
“We have lithium ion batteries now and the next development is other research and testing in Beijing. The mainly Japanese team is also trying to find the next fuel cell batteries.
“The initial main market is China because of their progressive investing in infrastructure, they are a potential customer as fleet customer and as our main owner [‘s] business is in China in green technology. The US is obviously a market for electric vehicles, but we focus on China initially.”
The former German colony of Qingdao’s regional government – between Beijing and Shanghai – is also a part owner of NEVS and is looking to secure a fleet of electric vehicles as China attempts to alleviate its often chronic pollution problem in major conurbations.
NEVS clearly also has to wrestle with the not inconsiderable legacy baggage of the previous Saab Automobile business, whose lengthy drop into bankruptcy provoked a national debate on the merits or otherwise of rescuing struggling Swedish companies.
“The procurement team, much of [its] work has been building confidence, to be very transparent towards suppliers, with our financial status and our long-term business plan,” said the NEVS spokesman.
NEVS is keeping any start date very close to its chest, referring only to an “autumn” launch of the 9-3, but hints it could eventually have the Trollhattan site working up to two shifts.
“The facility gives us the possibility of two shifts, so if there is the market and people want to buy cars, two shifts is not impossible,” said the NEVS spokesman.
