Saab in China

[nzsaab]

Rally Red Lancer GTS

Yes it is good to see Saab working quickly and hard to ensure everything is in place.

[nzsaab]

Saab To Boost Production

The plant builds some 100 cars a day. But within another four weeks, Saab hopes to double its productivity in order to produce between 50,000 and 60,000 cars a year.
Saab's former and current Swedish head Jan Åke Jonsson told the media that his company has received orders for 2,000 cars since the plant was temporarily shut down. And at least another 2,000 cars have been ordered from the United States.

Saab is also looking to take on an extra 500 factory workers to help with the increase.

[nzsaab]

2010 Model production BEGINS - Better late than never!

Press Extract:

At 9.15 in the morning today, production director Gunnar Brunius in the yellow string and so was the car production resumed in Saab's assembly plant.

In other parts of the production chain - painting, pressure and body - the business has already been running for a short time to prepare the way for the "real" production start this morning.

Car builder Linda Wallin stood ready to receive the first car on the line, and she had particular reason to be happy today. She lost the job last spring, but was one of the more than 150 people who re-hired last fall.

- This feels great, great fun. We also feel a great relief and confidence, "says Linda Wallin.

The first car - a Saab 9-5 new model - were provided with the text Saab number 001 of a new era to proclaim that this is the first Saab car built by Spyker as the owner.





On location in the assembly plant at the historic moment was also Spykers CEO Victor Muller and Saab's Managing Director Jan Åke Jonsson.

- It feels great today. We have always believed in this, but there has been a lengthy process and therefore difficult to know when we would start up again, "Jonsson said.

Saab factory has stood still since January and although Spyker affair was clear for a while, it takes time to restart the whole production system.

Official Press Release to come.

[nzsaab]

Press Release for Saab Restarting Production MY2010

Trollhättan, Sweden. The production lines at Saab Automobile's state-of-the-art Trollhättan plant began rolling again today, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company. To mark the occasion, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhättan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius took up positions on the line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built.
Production at the Trollhättan plant was originally halted for seven weeks. Now, following the purchase of Saab Automobile AB by Spyker Cars NV, the first cars to be built by Saab as an independent company will soon be delivered to customers.

"Today's resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company" said Jan Åke Jonsson. "We are up and running as an independent manufacturer and I am delighted to share the experience on the line alongside our workforce. They have shown tremendous commitment to the company and we are all now focused on ramping up production to meet customer demand."

First on the line today was an all-new Saab 9-5 sedan, destined to join a test fleet prior to the model's official launch later this year. Further down the line was a Saab Convertible, now also being produced in Trollhättan as part of the concentration of Saab operations in Sweden. With the introduction of the new 9-5 SportCombi next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant.

"We have a highly flexible, world-class facility here at Trollhättan," said Plant Director Gunnar Brunius. "Our ability to build so many different models in one location improves plant utilization and will deliver valuable efficiency gains. With these state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated workforce, we are in excellent shape."

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars said: "Everyone at Saab has worked extremely hard to reach this important point. Today production restarted with a new 9-5 first down the line - a fitting symbol that a new era has begun."

[nzsaab]

New Beijing Automotive C71 - Whats a new Chinese car got to do with saab?





Well everything in fact! This car is the result of Beijing Autos purchase of the old 9-5 including its tooling and engines.

See the similarities?

[Rally Red Lancer GTS]

I do see the similarities, nzsaab!

[nzsaab]

Introducing the Chinese assembled C71!!!!

YES - JUST LIKE THE CHINESE STUFF AT WAL-MART - ITS WRAPPED IN CHEAP PLASTIC!

[nzsaab]

Introducing the C60!!!!

Based on Saab 9-3

[nzsaab]

Some relaxing photos of our wonderful princess - 9-5 in Sweden

My favourite shot:



And theres these:

[nzsaab]