UPDATE II:
OK…..
The exact nature of the story isn’t clear, but further communication indicates that there will be something going on here, relating to work being done using Saabs facilities, but nothing like cars actually being built on the site.
It seems the exact nature of the engagement will be announced later today.
UPDATE:
The initial reports spoke only of things from the Subaru side. There was no comment from Saab.
The first report mentioned was at Dagens Industri (at this URL), but they seem to have removed the report. Other services such as TTELA, Swedish Radio and SVD ran the report as well.
The initial contact that I’ve been able to make with Saab, via email, indicates that this story is most likely in error. There are further checks taking place, but right now it looks like this was a speculative report based on some comments from a Subaru executive.
If I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.
——
This is just hitting the news services in Sweden…..
From TTELA:
Subaru wants to develop in Trollhättan
TROLLHÄTTAN – Japanese car giants Subaru wants to develop two of its car models in Trollhättan. The plans have been confirmed by Subaru Nordic’s CEO Torbjorn Lillrud.
Subaru plans to further develop the model Legacy and Outback for gas.Torbjorn Lillrud stated the following to Dagens Indusri, DI:
– It is unique to a foreign car company will start manufacturing in Sweden of a model that is partly developed in Sweden.
According to DI Legacy and Outback rebuilt in Saab Automobile’s facility in Trollhättan.
Victor Muller’s very keen to drive down Saab’s break even point and increase profitability. One way to do that is to reduce costs. The other is to bring in outside revenue.
Sure beats building windmills 🙂
I’ll trace other reports and see if there’s anything more to report about this.
Great News! I love how SAAB operates nowdays!
Whooohaaa, where did that one come from!!!???
Great news, Subarus > windmills = True
Can’t find the news on DI-site, but perhaps they add it later during the day.
The news is good for Saab so it does not show up on DI front page. Here is the link to the article:
http://di.se/Artiklar/2011/1/31/225907/Subaru-bygger-bilar-i-Saabs-fabrik/
Well….Saab has already created the best looking Subaru ever (9-2X) so why not…. 😉
Agreed, the best Subaru was a Saab!?
I actually liked the funky 9-2x, but thats just me…
WTF slash where the hell did this come from? Swade, did you know about this in advance? Wink once if yes, wink twice if no 😉
I was just behind a Subaru Legacy PZEV and looked it up, very cool engine tech they have. This is so wonky, yet awesome. Victor is something else- that man has quite the rolodex.
So wait…is it cheaper to build them in Sweden than Japan for export? Any currency/trade experts here?
I had no idea.
Am trying to get more info as we speak.
Article no longer at Di…???
SvD.se have the news as well:
http://www.svd.se/naringsliv/nyheter/subaru-gasar-pa-i-trollhattan_5904289.svd
The article was taken out… It said something about rebuilding vehicles in the SAAB plant. I guess they need to photoshop a picture where the sun is rising behind the saab factory. The current inventory only show doom and gloom, sunsets and large parking areas with saabs covered in snow!!
Hahaha, exactly….
Maby its “Ana specialbilar” not Saab to rebuilt the Subaru? They did it to the 9-3
Heard something on the radio and -indeed- it seems to be ANA’s gas technology who might be implemented in a Subaru, in some empty buildings owned by SAAB. The Subaru guy said they have nothing to do with Saab. (apart from renting a building maybe). But this just how I interpreted it…
I think your read on things might be the closest to the truth here, Yerrun
This is great news from break even point of view. But, can we be sure this is not a Trojan? Subaru is a very much a 1 hands choice for some former SAAB buyers. On the other hand, Subaru is considered a very highly reliable brand (ADAC) so for them choosing a SAAB plant ensures SAAB has a high quality production line 🙂
It seem like everything started at DI, but DI has retired its article.
As there is no official press release from Saab or Subaru/Toyota, I would say that this piece of news may become reality but not now.
And that says it all about the credibility of DI. A credible news media would never ever remove an article. A credible news media would update the article or write a new article that sets the record straight.
I like Subaru. They build quality cars without shouting about it.
I like their engine filosophy. They have engines sounding like a turbocharged good ole’V4. Double Saab-point 🙂
And they, too, has a rallye heritage.
Perhaps the 9-2x will get its follow-up?
Well, I wouldn’t mind a new, shared tech 9-2x based the the present impreza…
http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/impreza-wrx/index.html
Just make it look so Saab good….
????
Tried a call, couldn’t get through.
Two email sent. Still trying to chase it up. Big story if true.
Bigger than the BMW deal in my opinion. This would send a huge signal to the Swedish government that they would have lost a major industrial link to the rest of the world if they hadn’t pushed for guarantees for Saab. Just a year ago Trollhattan seemed like a city that was going to lose half its population, now it appears it may be going the opposite direction, precisely because of Saab.
If that doesn’t shut the Swedish press up over the value that Saab adds to the local economy, nothing will.
I agree, I wish it was true, that saab would have a deal with subaru about building cars. But I think what Yerrun said is closer to the truth.
/Christofer
From what I hear they will adapt/rebuild the cars, not build them from scratch in the Saab factory.
Since the Spyker stock is open, I don’t expect any official news until 5PM (Swedish time).
UPDATE:
Made contact with Saab, who don’t know where the report is coming from. First they’ve heard.
I’d suggest it’s a smaller-scale thing, possibly along the lines as suggested in comments above about gas conversions at ANA or something similar. Seems the report may have gone up prematurely without the full info being known.
Just discovered this story on the Autocar website indicating that some Americans believe Subaru are a Swedish brand already.
Does GM still own part of Subaru? Anyone knows?
No. They sold their stake a few years ago. Toyota ended up taking an interest in Suuby (hence the FT86 concept they’re building together)
GM doesn’t own any Subaru anymore, but Toyota does.
@turbokalle:
No, GM pulled out completely a couple of years ago. That is exactly why a couple of Saab-Subaru common developments stopped abruptly. (Remember the Tribeca/9-6X shared SUV that was supposed to come)
The news comes in a slightly more serious form ( from the usually fairly trustworthy swedish paper GP )
http://www.gp.se/ekonomi/1.540900-subaru-gasar-pa-i-trollhattan
Apparently it is a small scale conversion of some of the Subaru models to a different type av engine. Not a big deal for SAAB and nothing is signed off yet. It might take place in SAAB owned buildings though…. hopefully this one is fairly trustworthy.
There is also a report that even if this is very small, it could become really profitable for SAAB if it became a trend.
Note the new update (#2) in the post.
There’s something going on, but the nature of the work is unclear. Nothing as big as building cars, though.
My initial guess was Subaru using Saab’s new AWD setup (fossil-powered front axle, electric eAAM rear axle), but I guess Yerrun is probably more right. The local Subaru importer might rent a building from Saab to convert cars to CNG…
This would mean Saab’s CNG programme is not enough to keep the operations running, which is sad. I would have hoped for Saab to have been on the cutting edge of CNG deployment in automobiles…
Teknikenvärden has also an article about it online:
http://www.teknikensvarld.se/nyheter/110131-subaru-saab/index.xml
Seems to be gas conversions of 2 existing Subaru cars.
That sounds like good news. Everything should be done to get Saab to make profit. And I don´t mind possible Subaru connection. It makes sense in every way. Probably that would mean gas conversions sold by Subaru Nordic only, I guess?
CNG and LPG are only popular because of tax reduction on the fuels. In Germany, these will end in 2018. What about Sweden? They are not really a way to get away from fossile fuels, though they do have environmental advantages.
Maybe Saab has been hired to figure out how to repair the front end vibration/shimmy that seems to be standard on the NG Outback wagon ; )
LOL! Though there no need for such.. It´s only US build versions that shake. Other versions have slightly different suspension and there´s no reports of shimmy on other forums.
Its hard to believe they haven’t adopted the other suspension system. I’ve read how they’ve taken back 2010 models and the replacement ’11 has the same issue. I had a similar issue, along with many other issues on a 1994 NG 900 – the first sold in the US – and it is like Chinese water torture.
Updated on ttela: http://ttela.se/ekonomi/naringsliv/1.1104534-subaru-vill-utveckla-i-trollhattan
So it is an italian company that is going to convert Legacy and Outback for the swedish company car fleets. Prerequsite; the swedish norms for what the hell an environmentally friendly car really is. The only thing SAABy about it is the location!
Ok, now I’m confused!?!? The original article is back on di.se (http://di.se/Artiklar/2011/1/31/225907/Subaru-bygger-bilar-i-Saabs-fabrik/) and now there’s also a quote from Fägerhag. According to the article there are 5 vehicles produced and 2 in the SAAB facilities. WTF Is going on…
Remembering the announcement that SAAB will take back some of the temporary workers that were laid of before Christmas and the majority of them should work at the prototype line. The general comments was that the new 9-3 and concept cars were to be built, but it could also be used for converting the gas-Subaru’s.
Yes you´re right! According to AMS it is the prototyping line that will host the Subaru conversions. They´re sleeping in the same bed and babies are a side effect if you´re not sufficiently protected!
http://www.automotorsport.se/news/22195/saab-bygger-specialmodell-till-subaru/
The best summary has been found in “The Local“. It states the following;
– Facilities only renter by SAAB, otherwise SAAB is not involved, not economically nor technical
– This is an initiative by Subaru Nordic only
– This is aimed for the Swedish / Nordic market to start with, but there are prospects of increase this if interest is in other countries
– Up to 2 000 cars per year is the initial estimate.
Some news mention that BRC (who´s renting facilities at Saab farmyard) might need to lend people from Saab production. The only Saab connection so faar in news. a f a i s
And now di.se changed the story to BRC building a production line in SAAB facilities and that SAAB staff may be involved in producing Subarus.
Small platform partner?
That would be GREAT news!
That was my first thought too.
Somehow I don’t see Saab and BMW sharing platforms. Subaru would be a good match, though. Saab WRX and back to WRC!
Hey don’t dis my windmills!
=)
A link to DN Sweden :
http://www.dn.se/motor/nyheter/subaru-gasar-pa-i-trolhattan
Let’s hope that deal get settled.
It would help SAAB to reduce it’s costs.
It would help Trollhättan to build up it’s competence in this area. Which also would help SAAB, as SAAB will be able to benefit from this albeit external know-how.
And if BRC indeed will hire SAAB personnel, SAAB will get a staff training for less then free 😉