You are browsing the archive for 2010 September.

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Euro Saab Meeting in Huy, Belgium

September 28, 2010 in Saabology

Following on from the very successful first meeting back in 2007, Etienne from the Saabhuy weblog has sweet-talked his local city officials into letting Saabs invade Huy’s pedestrian zones once again for a 2nd European Saab Meeting.

You can view a huge catalog of photos from the 2007 gathering here.

Saab Huy Euro Meeting

From Etienne:

Thanks to the success of the 2007 event, the city council of my home town, Huy, has allowed me to organize again a great Saab Event in the historical centre of the city (which is usually a pedestrian zone).

Hundreds of Saabs are expected and there will be a Saab spare parts flea market area as well.

This year’s event will be the biggest, funniest and even craziest one ever held here as the whole historical part of the town will be reserved for Saab enthusiasts.

The meeting will start at 9 AM and both the meeting and the flea market are totally free of charge. It is based on first come first served and the first 250 cars will be better parked and receive a little welcome present – so you’re welcome to come earlier.

This meeting will be held on Sunday 31st October 2010. There is no special activity planned on Saturday, however an evening meal will be organized for Saturday night (this will be obviously charged and must be booked).

The city of Huy (and specific location of the event area) is here.

Any interested potential attendees are encouraged to check out the event webpage and contact the organisers through that site, or email Etienne on etienne@saabhuy.net.

The 2007 event really did look fantastic so if you’re within driving distance, I’d encourage you to check it out. Any time you can get together and talk Saabs with Etienne, Golfhunter or Robin M (who I’m pretty sure will be heading over) is a good time indeed.

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Tuesday Snippets – Farago edition

September 28, 2010 in Saabology

The Saab/BMW news is all over the interwebs and it’s all been positive (aside from TTAC, see below).

We’ll have to wait for the press conference to see what the actual agreement brings to the table. Will it be more than architecture and/or diesel engines? I don’t know.

But personally speaking, I think it’s going to be absolutely fantastic, both for the expansion of the vehicle range and the perception of Saab in the marketplace. I’m pretty amazed at some of the reasons put forth in comments for reservation about this potential deal. The idea that this deal could ‘turn Saabs into BMWs’ is just really shortsighted and doesn’t give Saab’s excellent engineers any credit IMHO. Hang your reservations at the doors, people, and see what happens.

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Our mate Rune has been to meet his new ride…..

Rune Saab 9-5

…..unfortunately there’s some problems with the road and registration authorities at the moment so Rune’s plates haven’t arrived yet. Agonising!

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I never thought I’d ask for Robert Farago to be reinstalled at The Truth About Cars, but it seems the inmates are now running the asylum. Farago was grumpy and critical, but at least he was predictable. This guy’s just freaking nuts!

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Another ‘different’ Saab is for sale over at Saabnet…..

Stretch Saab 900

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And then there’s this….. pre-production, and a sequel to the rear shot shown yesterday…. click.

Saab 9-4x front

Looking absolutely fantastic!

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Saab TTiD ad – Stockholm Metro

September 28, 2010 in Saabology

Another new ad appearing on the Stockholm Metro system. This time, it’s advertising the new low-emissions diesel for the Saab 9-3 range.

With 180 bhp, it’s fun to be fuel efficient.
Saab 9-3 TTid EcoPower. 119 g/km 180 hk 0,45 l/mil

Saab TTiD Commercial - Stockholm Metro

Thanks to A.S. for the image!

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Saab Cars NA – Welcome Back Offer

September 28, 2010 in News

RE-POSTED as a reminder…..

Please make sure you take advantage of this great offer if you can!

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Those of you viewing this site from the United States will note there’s a new advertisement in the top left corner of the site.

This is from Saab Cars North America, who want to welcome you back to your local Saab dealers with some special offers on parts, and vintage rates for owners of older Saabs.

All dealers are participating and have access to a 15% discount from SCNA – make sure you ask for it. In addition, many of those dealers have been encouraged to offer a vintage labour rate for work performed on your car. Again, make sure you ask for it.

I know that my mates at New Salem Saab have offered a vintage rate for pre-2003 cars for some time now. I’m sure some of the other dealers have it as regular item on their menu too. This is a similar deal that they’re all being encouraged to offer during the Welcome Back campaign.

The Welcome Back offer is open to owners of all Saabs from 1993 to 2002 and covers the following parts groups:

  • Shocks
  • Water pumps
  • Fuel pumps
  • Air filters
  • Exhaust systems
  • Brakes, brake components
  • Clutches

The offer is scheduled to close at the end of October, so the first thing you need to do is locate your nearest dealer, give them a call and get down there for a visit.

For Saab to be strong, they need a strong dealer network. That means dealers need your support.

So if you’ve got a Saab made between 1993 and 2002, go on down and pay them a visit.

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Update on Saab/BMW co-operation story

September 27, 2010 in News

Let’s draw together a few news stories and see if we can’t navigate through and see what’s going on.

News services have finally reached Victor Muller for a comment, to which they basically received a big “no comment”.

“– It’s all based on rumours and speculation that we can not comment. Nothing has been signed. Until everything’s presented and done, it’s not done, Victor Muller says.

If it were all hot air, they would have got a “No”, rather than a ‘no comment’.

Why the semantics with words? Well, Spyker’s a company listed on the stock exchange. Victor can’t say something’s done until it IS done and he can’t deny it if it’s about to be done. Such actions would affect the share price and could get people into trouble.

Spykers shares have already risen on the speculation and would probably rise a little more if it were confirmed.

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AutoWeek.nl are claiming that the deal will be not only for an architecture to build the Saab 92, but also some engines, most notably for the coming Saab 9-4x.

They say Saab will acquire BMW diesels for the 9-4x. A good competitive diesel will be essential for marketing the car in Europe.

They also state there could be some BMW engines powering the Saab 9-3 and they mention the word “soon”, indicating they think that this could come before the next generation of the car goes from being just a twinkle in Jason Castriota’s eye.

I’ve got no information one way or the other about this. The 92 and 9-4x stories make sense and seem realistic (it might take a little while to get a Beamer diesel into the 9-4x, though, as it wasn’t designed for it).

The 9-3 story would be nice, but seems just a touch too much for this little enthusiast to hope for.

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Interesting times, people. Interesting times.

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Dutch Report – Saab to work with BMW

September 27, 2010 in News

Breaking News.

More to come, but here’s a screenshot…..

A Dutch radio station has reported that a contract will be signed in Sweden tomorrow between BMW and Saab. The exact nature of the co-operation is not known at this time but may come out in subsequent reports.

Saab-BMW Dutch report

More to be added as it comes to hand…… and bear in mind that this is unconfirmed. I have a feeling it will stay that way (i.e. that it’s true but there won’t be a comment until it’s announced formally).

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UPDATE:

From Reuters:

AMSTERDAM, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Car makers Saab and BMW (BMWG.DE) will start cooperating to give the Swedish loss-making manufacturer access to BMW’s technology and parts, Dutch public broadcaster NOS said on Monday.

Saab, which was bought early this year by Dutch luxury car maker Spyker (SPYKR.AS) from U.S.-based General Motors [GM.UL], and BMW are scheduled to sign the deal on Wednesday, NOS said, citing sources at the two car makers.

In June, a Swedish daily reported that Saab was in talks with BMW to use its engines and transmissions in a new version of the 9-2 model. [ID:nLDE65A0Q5]

Spyker Cars Chief Executive later told Reuters in June that he was in talks with several potential partners and that a decision could be expected by year-end. [ID:nLDE65K0X4]

Spyker, which was loss-making last year, could not comment immediately. BMW was not immediately available to comment.

(Reporting by Gilbert Kreijger and Maria Sheahan; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

Not much new there. Based on a report already below.

Thanks WooDz

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UPDATE:

Video from NOS (in Dutch).

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UPDATE:

Googletrans from FD.nl

Carmakers BMW and Saab announced Wednesday a long partnership. The Swedish car manufacturer buys technology from the German BMW.

This message is based on ‘reliable sources’ within both automakers. Both companies want nothing to say about the deal yet.

For Saab, the purchase of technology is an important part of the strategy to regain profitability. The company still has enough knowledge and resources to independently develop new cars.

BMW sells certain techniques in order to obtain an additional income.

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UPDATE II:

A Gooletrans of the original NOS report (screenshot above):

Saab and BMW will cooperate on technology. That is what NOS has heard from sources at the two car brands. Wednesday, the signatures [will be] put to the agreement.

It is intended that Saab will buy parts and technology from BMW. Saab wants in the coming years with BMW technology to focus on building a smaller car.

The Saab was divested earlier this year by General Motors, and the small Dutch car manufacturer Spyker Victor Muller took over. Saab is now [making losses], but hopes to come out of the red in 2012.

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Thanks to Patrick V for the tip!

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Monday Morning Snippets – follow-up edition

September 27, 2010 in Saabology

Here we go again. Another week, but there’s the Paris Auto Show at the end of this one.

It’ll be interesting to see what Saab have got to show (if there’s nothing we don’t already know about).

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Tobias A has spotted some timber panelling for the new 9-5 on what I think might be the Saab Sweden website….

Saab 9-5 wood dekor

Very nice for those who like woody stuff.

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Earlier this year, Volvo had trouble getting their demo vehicles to not hit other cars.

Now they’re having trouble getting their demo vehicles to not hit pedestrians.

In total, 12 attempts to trigger the Pedestrian Avoidance Technology resulted in three failures – two in which the system deployed too late and one, not at all. Ironically, ours was the final demonstration of the four week-long launch event, in which around 650 journalists from around the world had driven at Bob (a dummy used for the test) with what Volvo says was a 99.7 per cent success rate. It has not quantified what types of failure comprised the remaining 0.3 per cent.

It’s good technology and I’m sure Volvo will work out the bugs from this demonstration, but once again, I worry about people coming to rely on stuff like this instead of using their own skills as a driver.

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And another follow up piece……

Last year I wrote an open letter to a young guy named Isaac S Yoder. His father is a writer with the Wall Street Journal and they’d been doing a father-son tag team series covering Isaac’s progressions through teenage life and into college life. One of those articles included machinations from the father and some excitement from the son about the purchase of a Saab 900 Convertible – this was the subject of my open letter.

Young Isaac’s had a good time in the convertible….

More than 13,000 miles and 21 states later — and after weeks of living out of it, an infestation of Africanized (killer) bees, bizarre engine noises on remote roads, dozens of long drives through the night and one blown tire — we’ve had enough adventures together that I feel like we’re more than just old friends.

…. but the potential costs are mounting and he’s considering the inevitability of having to let it go. The latest article in this saga is here at the WSJ.

With college fees mounting, I can understand the theory behind this. I’d still like to offer young Master Yoder (I couldn’t resist that one) a token suggestion: pay it forward.

Isaac, age 19, has a younger brother named Levi, age 15. I’m sure Dad would love to help young Levi maintain the car for a year or so, until he’s of an age to enjoy it just as much.

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And a final piece of follow-up…..

Regular readers will recall Saabrobz’s personal moose test, which left his Saab 9000 in the graveyard.

Via Flickr, it looks like his story’s getting it’s happy ending just now with the acquisition of an early 9-3 Aero Coupe. Nice pickup, Saabrobz!

SaabRobz 9-3 Aero

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Saab 9-4x – a photo by Djup Strupe

September 27, 2010 in Saabology

Not a lot to see here, but still something.

Click.

Saab 9-4x back

No click. Just proof.

Saab 9-4x back badge

Click. The rear of the concept vehicle in Detroit, January 2008

Saab 9-4x rear lights

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How GM had planned to close Saab

September 26, 2010 in Saabology

The following is a translated excerpt from the Jonas Froberg book, Kampen om Saab (The Fight For Saab).

It has been printed in the Swedish paper, SVD, today and Martin S has been kind enough to tidy up a GoogleTrans for us. Thanks Martin!!!

It makes for fascinating reading and really gives an insight into the initial stages of what became the fight for Saab’s continued life. Amazing stuff.

And please, publishers…..translate this book!!

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Saab image

GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz (right) said to SvD Näringsliv just when the picture on this page were taken in January 2009 that Saab could be closed. By then, GM has already overshadowed five months earlier decided to close down all Saab’s operations in Sweden. In the autumn of 2008 increased the pressure on CEO Jan Ake Jonsson (TV) as GM’s management also decided to lift out of Saab’s upcoming 9-3 from program. Everything was done in silence.

GM’s secret death warrant
Published: 26 September 2010, 12:38

Car giant in crisis GM was several times in silence on the point to shut down production in Trollhättan. In a new book tells SvD’s Jonas Froberg of intrigue and political maneuvering to get Saab to survive.

Detroit 08.30 January 12, 2009

It is hot in the small conference room at the Motor Show in Detroit. The 76-year-old Bob Lutz laughs as he wheeze at his own joke that Americans do not know the difference between Switzerland and Sweden. Of course he knows. GM’s vice chairman and head of global product development is born in Switzerland in a banker’s family.

Now he sits astride and talking just as bushy as he usually does for a small group of Swedish journalists. Everyone is asking about Saab. And something is dramatically different. Previously, Bob Lutz always publicly defended Saab, despite losses. He has talked about the plan forward, and he loves the cars. But despite the good morning mood, he has now suddenly nothing positive to say.

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AMS.de tipping 9-5 Combi for Paris

September 26, 2010 in Saabology

Auto Motor und Sport – the German version – has compiled what looks like its list of cars to be exhibited at the Paris Auto Salon, coming up at the start of October.

The Saab part of the list includes a number of vehicles, one of which is a car that a lot of European Saab fans will be waiting for with bated breath – the Saab 9-5 SportCombi.

We’ve heard previously from Saab’s Victor Muller and Jan-Ake Jonsson that the 9-5 Combi will come around mid-year in 2011, just after the 9-4x that’s due around April.

I’ve mentioned once before and I’ll say it again now….. I don’t expect to see the 9-5 SportCombi in Paris. The rare mumblings from Djup Strupe didn’t indicate anything other than the new 9-3 diesels, which is worth taking note of in some ways and not worth noting in others – there was no inkling of the 9-3 ePower that’ll go on show there.

My intuition still tells me, though, that if there’s something other than the 9-3 ePower to see/hear in Paris, then it’ll be something to do with future partnerships (think Saab 92).

It’s not like Saab will be short of things to talk about in Paris, either. New low-emissions diesels, a bigger range of engines in the 9-5 sedan, the 9-3 ePower and the new e-AAM Driveline Systems partnership to work on hybrid drivetrains. That’s plenty to keep the newshounds busy and it keeps some more bullets in the chamber for later on.

The Saab 9-4x is going to be seen in Los Angeles in November. I expect the Saab 9-5 SportCombi to be seen at Geneva in March 2011.

But I could be wrong ;-) .

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It’s worth noting that AMS.de also predict the 9-4x could show in Paris, which is another reason why I’m a bit skeptical about their predictions there.

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Thanks to A-RO for the AMS tip in comments.

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SU on AOL on Saab

September 26, 2010 in Editorial

Occasionally, things move in such a way that you don’t notice that your relationship to them has become stale. That your views on them, whilst still valid in some quaint, old fashioned way, have now become – well – irrelevant.

Take my views on music, for example. I still hold on to that old-fashioned notion that artists should be paid for the music they produce when people acquire that music for playing on their personal music players. The emergence of digital has challenged that old-fashioned notion quite a bit in recent years. People passed music around to one another as if it were theirs to give and whilst the system is righting itself to some degree now, there will be a whole generation of artists who never got paid, never really got supported and thus, never got the chance to develop properly.

But those are just my views. You can take them or leave them.

Last night, I saw this piece on AOL motors. It contains the views of one William Jeanes on the continuing existence of Saab and the seemingly obsessive nature of we “quirkophiles” who were either once connected to it, or continue to follow the brand.

I saw the article, but I didn’t cover it last night. To be honest, I didn’t really know what to make of it. Now that I’ve read it again this morning, I’m inclined to tell Mr Jeanes to get stuffed.

I find his views to be patronising, short-sighted and dismissive. Like my views on music, he seems to be adhering to an old-fashioned notion….. that soooooooo-2009 view that the only way you can run a car company is to make millions of the same thing, homogenising every element so as to ensure the one thing that keeps the world turning – a profit.

The larger world, save for the aforementioned Swedish workforce, will not care greatly whether future newspaper editors can write, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Saab (or Volvo)”,

Mr Jeanes – we tend to think they should care. We tend to think that someone daring to do things differently is an important thing that should be applauded rather than mocked. We tend to think that the great melting pot of big business has a tendency to suck the personality out of the car business and if there’s one thing modern cars could use a bit more of – it’s personality.

Perhaps you’d care more if the only thing available to drive was a Hybrid Camry. That’s the way things are going, you know. Maybe you just won’t realise it until the interesting cars and interesting companies are actually gone?

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Autobild photoshop Saab’s future

September 26, 2010 in Saabology

German magazine Autobild has taken a stab at predicting what the future of Saab might look like, showing their photoshop predictions of a new Saab 9-3, the Saab 9-5 SportCombi and a possible Saab Sonett (they seem to have got their Sonett images from the same source as AMS Sweden).

The 9-3 is the most interesting, I guess, because we saw the Sonett renderings last week and we’ve already seen real, Saab imagery of the 9-5 Combi (though everyone still seems to forget this).

Their rendering of the 9-3, from the front….

AutoBild Saab 9-3

And from the back. The cues from the 9-5 are pretty obvious….

Autobild Saab 9-3 rear

Here’s their rendering of the 9-5 combi, which from my point of view, isn’t quite accurate from the B-pillar back.

AutoBild Saab 9-5 Combi

And, well…… the Sonett is probably best viewed with the AMS Sonett story as it’ll give a bit more background information…..

AutoBild Saab Sonett

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From my point of view, I just like the fact that magazines in Germany are writing about Saab again. It’d be a great market for Saab to get some traction in.

My thanks to Lars B (a man with a 4-Saab family, no less) for sending through the imagery!

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Mats Fägerhag on Saab’s new e-AAM Driveline Systems company

September 24, 2010 in News

I’ve just got off the phone with Mats Fägerhag, Saab’s chief technical guru. We talked a little about the new e-AAM Driveline Systems venture that Saab has set up with American Axle Manufacturing.

Saab owns one third of the new company, which will be based in Trollhattan. AAM own the remaining two-thirds.

Here are the dot points from that conversation…..

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Saab already use a class-leading all-wheel-drive system in Haldex’s XWD, but one of the downsides with it is that it brings a 10-12% penalty in fuel economy. That’s because the system works so well in terms of moving torque around to different wheels, keeping the car stable, predictable and dynamic when you need it to be – it all takes energy. Saab’s aim in researching this new system is finding a way to maintain XWD-like stability whilst substantially improving fuel economy.

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The system that Saab have been developing since the carve-out from General Motors is an all-new system, developed by Saab. The patents and IP belong to Saab and this has been approved by GM.

Saab was the lead center for all-wheel-drive development within GM, so they built up a very experienced team that has been able to work quickly on this new technology once Saab were separated from GM.

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Saab Fall Festival at New Salem Saab, NY

September 24, 2010 in Saabology

One of my mates in dealerland is Darryl Carl from New Salem Saab. Many of you will have enjoyed his open and honest comments on this site and will know that his heart lies well and truly with the Saab brand.

NSS is one of the oldest family-owned dealerships in the US and when you talk about people doing it tough over the last 12-18 months, few have done it tougher than the folks at New Salem Saab. The dedication that it’s taken for them to keep the doors open through the Saab sale will one day be the stuff of legend.

The good news is that they’re still here and to celebrate, New Salem Saab is teaming up with the New England Saab Association and Goldwing Recycled Saab Parts to present the Saab Fall Festival.

  • Date: October 23, 2010
  • Time: 0900 to 1700
  • Location: New Salem Saab, 2017 Central Avenue, Albany, NY

Here’s the flyer……..click!

Some more details…..

The Dyno sessions will vary in cost depending on the car and the age of the owner:

  • $60 for non-Saabs
  • $40 for Saabs
  • $25 for Saabs owned by someone under 20 years of age

There will also be a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun with the chance to smash up a Swedish vehicle from another manufacturer (and no, it’s not a Koenigsegg!). Proceeds from this particular exercise will go towards the Crisman Memorial Scholarship, a regular beneficiary of NESA fundraising and a very worthwhile cause.

If you’re in the area, I really hope you’ll be able to get along and enjoy the day. It’ll be a great way to check out the new Saab 9-5, see New SAlem Saab’s facilities, support the Crisman Memorial and of course, catch up with all your Saab buddies at the same time.

Tell Darryl I said G’day!

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Press Release: Saab Automobile and AAM form new technology company: e-AAM Driveline Systems

September 24, 2010 in News

  • Saab and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) in joint venture to develop electric and hybrid driveline systems
  • New company, e-AAM Driveline Systems, headquartered in Trollhättan, Sweden
  • Major step for Saab towards a successful future as an independent company

Trollhättan, Sweden: Saab Automobile and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) today announced the formation of a jointly-owned company for the engineering, development and marketing of innovative electric all-wheel drive systems, as well as electric and hybrid driveline systems. The new company, called e-AAM Driveline Systems, will be based in Trollhättan. The joint venture will commence operations on October 1.

e-AAM will develop and market an innovative electric all-wheel drive system in a full service package. This electric all-wheel drive system can be easily integrated into existing platforms, minimizing vehicle architecture changes. Saab will become a client of e-AAM Driveline Systems, purchasing components to be used in next-generation Saab vehicles from 2012. The new company will also market its expertise and advanced products to other car manufacturers on a global basis.

Announcing the formation of e-AAM Driveline Systems, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “For Saab, the announcement of this partnership is a major step towards a successful future as an independent company. Saab is currently class-leading with its innovative Cross Wheel Drive system (XWD). The new electric all-wheel drive system will secure a leadership position in its next generation Saabs. This joint venture will bring together Saab’s world-class vehicle engineering expertise and AAM’s extensive engineering, production and marketing capabilities, which leads to a powerful combination.”

Richard E. Dauch, CEO, Chairman and co-founder of American Axle Manufacturing, said: “AAM is pleased to be launching this exciting new business opportunity with Saab. e-AAM will leverage the outstanding competencies of both our companies in the development of state-of-the-art electric and hybrid driveline systems needed by global OEMs to improve the fuel efficiency, ride and handling performance and overall capability of their products. The new and innovative products to be engineered by e-AAM, as well as the new customers to be served by this joint venture, solidly support AAM’s strategic initiative to expand and diversify our business.”

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UPDATE

According to TTELA:

Saab will be a minority owner, owning one third and American Axle will own two-thirds of the new company, which will begin operations in Trollhättan, Sweden on October 1. There will be 18 employees to begin with, including 17 engineers from Saab.

Saab’s CTO Mats Fägerhag thinks the staff may need to double by year end.

Thanks Matthias, in comments!

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