Not dead yet: Saab owners NEVS gets approval for a factory in China

By Stephen Edelstein January 31, 2017

Saab 9-3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Saab may be gone, but one of its last cars refuses to die.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) bought Saab’s assets in 2012 after the Swedish automaker declared bankruptcy, and has been trying to get an electric version of the Saab 9-3 into production ever since. Now the company has permission to build a factory in China, where many of its backers are from.

NEVS was granted a license by the Chinese National Development Reform Commission, which is required to manufacture electric cars in the country, according to a NEVS press release. Construction at the factory site in Tianjin has already begun, and NEVS hopes to start production by the end of the year. At full capacity, NEVS claims the factory will be able to build 200,000 cars a year.

Initially, NEVS plans to build electric versions of the 9-3. This sedan was built by Saab in 2011, and since then NEVS has built a handful of 9-3s at the former Saab factory in Trollhättan, Sweden, including at least one prototype of the electric version. The 9-3 is based on a design that first went into production in 2003, which makes it pretty outdated by industry standards. But NEVS already has an order lined up.

It will follow up on a deal with Panda New Energy first announced in December 2015 for 150,000 electric cars. Panda New Energy is a fleet company that leases cars, primarily to chauffeur services. It’s one of many companies in China created primarily to take advantage of generous government incentives for electric cars. Panda New Energy has said it will make a second purchase of 100,000 cars from NEVS at some point after the first order is filled.

These cars probably won’t be sold as Saabs. The Saab logo was not included in the assets NEVS purchased after the bankruptcy, and it lost the rights to the Saab name after a round of financial trouble in 2014. The company is at least getting lots of mileage out of the 9-3: it also licensed the design to Turkey for production there.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.