Re: Saab in China
 

BAIC gets 2.9 Billion USD from Bank of China. Saab purchase soon?

From China Car Times and Reuters:

Re: Saab in China
 

Well, good then. Does that mean a new 2010 Saab 9-5 would come to America as an import from China, then? No other assembly plants anywhere else for Saab?

Re: Saab in China
 

There used to be, but they either closed or production was shifted back to Sweden. It may be the case for Saabs having to be imported from China but only newer models since closing down and moving production from Sweden to China would mean that loads of jobs and money from the local economy would be lost and it would not go down well with the Swedish public or the government. The 9-5 as you mentioned, Rally Red Lancer GTS, probably will still be produced in Sweden for the European and American markets with additional production for Chinese market, should the purchase go ahead.

Re: Saab in China
 

It is rumored that Geely may bid for Saab as well.
Rebadged SMA Maples as budget Saabs anyone?

Re: Saab in China
 

Geely is no longer bidding for Saab anymore. They are trying to buy Volvo instead.

Re: Saab in China
 

KiwiGuy, thanks for that explanation. I needed a bit of a news report for Saab to sort of put all of these changes for the Swedish automaker in to a current frame. I appreciate it. I do believe the Saab 9-5 Aero would look nice in my driveway but unless Barack can offer a rebate on it (see what happens when our U.S. domestic automakers get handed blank checks) I'm thinking it just plain costs too much. Plus, I love my wife and I's '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS so much it would pain me to leave it.

I just love discovering new rigs, though, and the new 2010 Saab 9-5 Aero looks fantastic to me. I don't know, there may still be a way for us to do dis.

Re: Saab in China
 

Are there any tarriffs on importing cars straight from Europe into the United States?

Re: Saab in China
 

Response to KiwiGuy


It seems I havent been as active on this thread as I would like. I should have been making things clear for all you readers. Sorry to all.

Ok, in response to the production questions:

Saab Automobile AB has recently moved all production to its Trollhatten plant in Sweden.

Heres the story (of my own knowledge) dating back a decade and to the future:

List is divided by model.

Second Gen Saab 900, 5-door and 3-door - Assembly in Trollhatten Sweden began in 1993 upto 1998 when production ceased.

Second Gen Saab 900, Convertible - Assembly on contract to Finland. Began (not sure, maybe 1995 or 96) ceased in 2003
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lsyt_wQ2aw...llpaper_09.jpg

First Gen Saab 9-3, 5-door and 3-door - Assembly in Trollhatten Sweden began in 1997 and ended in 2002

First Gen Saab 9-3, Convertible - Assembly on contract to Finland. Began 1998 ceased in 2003

Saab 9000 CS, 5-door - Assembly in Trollhatten Sweden, began 1993 ceased in 1997
http://www.saabhistory.com/blog/wp-c...ab_9000_cs.jpg

First Gen Saab 9-5, Sedan and SportEstate - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Sedan began in 1997 and ceased in 2009. SportEstate began in 1998 and is still in production. There have been 3 revisions (facelifts) to the original 1997 Sedan and 1998 SportEstate. The 9-5 was reported to be moved to be assembled in Germany at the Opel plant last year, however this never happened.

Second Gen Saab 9-3, SportSedan - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Began in 2002 and is still in production to date. There has been 2 revisions of this model. The 9-3 was reported to be moved to be assembled in Germany at the Opel plant last year, however this never happened

Second Gen Saab 9-3, Convertible - Assembly on contract to Magna in Austria. Began in 2003 and ceased 2009. Production has now moved to Trollhatten Sweden where production will reopen in a few weeks.

Second Gen Saab 9-3, SportCombi - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Began 2006 and is current. The 9-3 was reported to be moved to be assembled in Germany at the Opel plant last year, however this never happened.

First Gen Saab 9-2x - Assembly at Fuji Heavy Industries Japan. Began 2004 ceased 2006.

First Gen Saab 9-7x SUV - Assembly at GM Truck Plant in Ohio, USA. Began 2004 ceased December 2008.

Second Gen Saab 9-3, TurboX - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Began 2008 ceased 2008.

Second Gen Saab 9-3, 9-3X - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Began 2009 and is current.

Second Gen Saab 9-5, Sedan - Assembly at Trollhatten Sweden. Began 2009 to current. Production was originally intended to be in Germany however with the sale of Saab in the future, costs can be saved if atleast 90% Saab production is in centralised Sweden and ensures jobs for locals.

First Gen Saab 9-4x, CUV - Assembly in Mexico. Due to begin 2011. There are no plans for this model to be moved to Sweden because the majority of SUV and CUV vehicles is in North America.

Secon Gen Saab 9-5, SportEstate - Assembly in Trollhatten Sweden. Due to begin 2011. (Read Second gen Saab 9-5 Sedan above.)

Third Gen Saab 9-3 - Does anyone care? Thats not going to happen for years!

Im sure an interesting read is above for most.

It is open that Chinese production of old Saab models may occur and yes the new 9-5 may be produced in addition to Sweden. Here goes:

-BAIC have already purchased Saab's tooling for the Saab 9-3 Sedan model 2002-2006. (its slightly different to the current one, but not by much) This vehicle will not be a Saab car in China, it will receieve somebody elses logo and will look very different.
-BAIC are said to take the tooling of the outgoing 9-5 to China if the deal goes through to buy Saab. The old 9-5 will also not be a Saab. It will be another brand of car.
-It makes sense to produce the new 9-5 in China as this is the worlds biggest market and local production reduces costs. It has been mentioned that all Saab's markets on this side of the world, eg. New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Korea will recieve Chinese made second gen 9-5's! But only if BAIC buys Saab.


Hope this helps ya'll!

Re: Saab in China
 

Thanks, nzsaab, that helped me a whole bunch. I will continue to come to this thread to learn as changes come about.

Re: Saab in China
 

No, I mean it was rumored that Geely was AGAIN interested in SAAB, but I don't know how serious they are.