Saab has cancelled plans to restart production on 9 August, citing summer holidays at key suppliers as a reason for the new postponement.
The Swedish manufacturer had previously expressed expectations its currently shuttered Trollhattan factory could start work in early August, but today’s (21 July) news has dashed hopes of an early resumption, with a tentative date now set for the week of 29 August.
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“The industry-wide summer break at our suppliers caused certain key suppliers not to be able to supply us in time,” said Saab VP production and purchasing Gunnar Brunius. “Saab Automobile hopes to restart production earliest in week 35 provided it is able to commit to a delivery schedule with its suppliers.”
“What we need now is a full commitment on supply of parts into our factory to be able to restart production and secure a stable manufacturing operation. We are now working hard with our suppliers to nail down these plans, commit to a delivery schedule and start building the close to 11,000 cars we currently have in our order books.”
However, the manufacturer’s comments that production will be postponed until a full commitment on delivery plans can be secured, implies even a restart in the week of 29 August cannot be guaranteed.
The Swedish automaker is encountering what appear to be logistical difficulties from its suppliers with whom Saab originally had payment issues.
“We are discussing payment and delivery terms with them [suppliers],” a Saab spokeswoman in Sweden told just-auto. “We have made a lot of progress and have come far. However, one of the things we are saying is our shut-down has had a knock-on effect on our suppliers’ production schedules and how and when they have scheduled production of components.
“In a number of cases we have an issue where everything is agreed, but the physical delivery of components into the Trollhattan factory is an issue. The 9 August has always been an ambition from our side – it has not been a concrete plan. Everything depends on getting the suppliers aligned.”
Reports first came to light in Trollhattan media of a possible delay to Saab’s restart, with factory lines briefly back in operation, only to quickly stop again.
