Greentech Lead Europe: Following the acquisition of Saab
by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), the company is planning to launch
the new electric car within next 18 months.
NEVS acquired major assets of Saab Automobile, Saab
Automobile Powertrain and Saab Automobile Tools. The company also gained the
rights to use the Saab brand name, but it will not use the current logo.
The acquisition includes intellectual property rights for Saab 9-3 and
the Phoenix platform as well as the tools, manufacturing plant, test and
laboratory facilities.
“In approximately 18 months, we plan to introduce
our first electric vehicle based on Saab 9-3 technologies and a new technology
electric powertrain,” NEVS chairman Karl-Erling Trogen said.
NEVS has already begun engineering and development of
their first electric vehicle. With Saab manufacturing facilities under
their possession, the company will start development work at their Trollhattan
site in Sweden.
Saab filed a bankruptcy petition in Swedish court in 2011
after the company suffered loss due to financial crisis and production
roadblocks at Trollhattan facility. The court approved its bankruptcy petition
in December 2011.
Electric vehicles are potential growth areas for
automobile manufacturers.
Electric vehicle sales to grow to 130 million units annually by
2025
Global Information Inc. predicts that electric vehicle
adoption sales will grow to 130 million units annually by 2025. Consumer demand
will drive the battery electric vehicle market once restraints such as
prohibitive price, lack of awareness and lack of infrastructure are eliminated.
editor@greentechlead.com