The Aeolus project

Business is good when everyone involved has its advantage. Sometimes you have to search to see the benefits of each party. The Dongfeng - NEVS partnership belongs in this category and made me a bit pensive yesterday.

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What the hell is the agreement of an industrial giant like Dongfeng with its 176.000 employees with a dwarf like NEVS with 300 employees? Where at first glance the advantages only seem to be on the side of NEVS ...

Access to the Dongfeng dealer network in China, development support, joint purchasing, access to the parts shelf. And what does NEVS deliver? NEVS does not announce precisely that it wants to help Dongfeng with the development of markets in North America and Europe; Chinese products are to be brought up to European standards.

Openness and transparency have never been part of the corporate culture at NEVS, on the contrary. Deliberately not calling things by their names, leaving out facts, that is the usual approach. Blogger Alfred Tian from Beijing provides answers to the open questions. First of all, the advantages that NEVS draws from the cooperation in its well-founded opinion. NEVS does not yet have a permit for the upcoming Tianjin plant. The current laws favor manufacturers of plug-in hybrid vehicles and purely electric drives, but that alone is not a guarantee, as only a few licenses are to be issued. The partnership with Dongfeng ensures NEVS support on site and improves opportunities.

The Aeolus project

Dongfeng Fengshen = Aeolus
Dongfeng Fengshen = Aeolus

NEVS is helping the Chinese in another project. The solution is called Aeolus. The little-known Dongfeng car brand, founded in the year 2007, competes with domestic labels such as Red Flag of FAW, Xiali and Besturn, but is developing noticeably more subdued than its competitor. The products are based on cooperation with Nissan and Citroen. The Aeolus (Fengshen) S30 was developed with Citroen on the basis of the Elysee and carries in the course of the model maintenance and the entry into the PSA company for some time also a motor of the French under the hood.

A new generation of Aeolus (Fengshen) could be based on a modified Phoenix platform and carry Swedish genes.

Until then, in a few years' time, NEVS engineers will bring Aeolus vehicles to European standards and make them ready for the global market ... which somehow seems to be a Trollhättan tradition. In the past, Korean Opels and Korean Chevys were made fit for Europe. Geelys are currently on the site of the former Saab Powertrain complex; now Aeolus follows. So far so good. One question is solved, another is coming.

NEVS will also help Dongfeng to set up sales of Aeolus products in Europe and North America, including the after-sales business. Which would be an old topic on the table. NEVS has no experience in after-sales, has no sales network - on the contrary! Service and spare parts supply for the NEVS 9-3 have been outsourced to Orio AB. Is there an answer? Not from my side.

The cooperation with Dongfeng secures long-term work for NEVS engineers and drives the development of the company in China. NEVS has become a little bit more solid because of the cooperation; additional jobs will be created in Trollhättan. Yesterday was a good and successful day for NEVS. Without question.

But…

Saab AB should have little joy in the development. Dongfeng is also in the arms business and competes with the Swedes. In the past, disapproval has already been expressed about the upcoming cooperation. If the opinion has not fundamentally changed, the willingness to release the name Saab for use again will have decreased further due to the close alliance between NEVS and Dongfeng.

The word Saab yesterday did not go to NEVS and Dongfeng's mouth. So, in the end the question in the round: What has all this still to do with Saab?

Answer: Nothing.

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Frank
Frank
8 years earlier

So Dongfeng has just become a partner without the money flowing. Nobody buys anything from the other or gives money for new products. Just “cooperation” as I understand it.
A Tesla engine with powertrain sits in the Mercedes B-Class, Renault engine in the Mercerdes Citan, SAAB has bought engines. The ashtrays in the Golf are from Audi. Audi engines are built in Hungary, among others. It feels like a dozen automakers have Magna Steyr produced. Ferrari belongs to Fiat. WMF manufactures completely in China. AND? That's the global world.
NEVS lacks (only) another investor, an investor. Still waiting for 2 years with the brand change. Yesterday I looked at the Tesla S in Hamburg. I miss the Night Panel function. But otherwise a real alternative

TT
TT
8 years earlier
Reply to  Frank

An electric car, whether from Tesla, Saab or anyone else can never be a full-fledged alternative at the moment. As long as you can not tilt electricity as easily as gasoline or diesel will stay that way. Especially if you take the name Saab in your mouth. What is often associated with Saab? Long haul, travel vehicle. If you want to build cars you have to offer or combine both techniques as is the case with other manufacturers such as BMW, Daimler or the VW Group. It also went yesterday by the press (not only in my daily newspaper as I commented yesterday). Saab AB has taken a clear position and does not want to release the name to NEVS. No matter what NEVS will produce in the future, I will certainly not buy a product from this company. There have been some gravediggers that have brought Saab automobiles closer to the end bit by bit, but NEVS was the last death blow. NEVS had the chance to repaint the name Saab and make something of it, and they did not do anything. I do not buy anything from such a company. The only thing that NEVS has to do with Saab is that they own the former Saab factory.

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  TT

Aptly said, about the electric car. I'm a big advocate, but we're actually too early. I have now formulated the requirement “triple two” for myself, i.e. the car should be able to drive for 2 hours at 2 00 km / h. And he should be allowed to pull 2 ​​tons.

We are still a long way from that. With 200 the Tesla S manages about 180 km, less than an hour. My 9-5 TiD consumes about 200 liters per hour at 28, and thus comes with 70 liters in the tank so well over 2 hours far.

9000cd
9000cd
8 years earlier

Actually, there is no way for NEVS past Saab, because how could one work and maintain the work without own production?
Only by contract manufacturing it is unlikely to succeed (and the prerequisite is you ever entrusted a manufacturer of NEVS production)
Or do you want to let these China boxes run off the assembly one day in Th.

Heiko
Heiko
8 years earlier

That you use the image of the speedometer for such a sad topic that I have prepared so lovingly. I'm shocked Tom.

Markus
Markus
8 years earlier

Halloli Saabist family. So I think NEVS should simply never be mentioned in the Saab blog anymore. For what? Saab has rightly decided when she took away the trademark rights from NEVS, why, is obvious. The Chinese were exclusively (like GM) only interested in the technology and knowhow of Saab. It was foreseeable that NEVS would not be able to get anything done (eg Saab). Please do not write anything more about that. There are so beautiful reports of Saab history. For example, rally stories. Or stories about complete restorations, etc .. Every time I read the letters NEVS anywhere, I'm (really) feeling sick, why, understand. All of us. I would be really happy about the above mentioned stories. Grüssli from Zurich

Saabfan
8 years earlier
Reply to  Markus

Not a bad idea of ​​this NEVS boycott. I'm also fed up with what makes NEVS out of the remnants of SAAB Automobile AB.

GP362
GP362
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Yes, it's no use. NEVS's open-minded romping about is really unpleasant, but as you wrote so beautifully, they keep the work occupied. And what happens to it would interest me - despite NEVS.

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  Markus

Tim says about trademark rights, that might not be safe. The original contracts probably come from the 70 years (nanu) and have all disappeared.

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  thylmuc

Tim, not Tom, örks

Greif08
Greif08
8 years earlier

What a pity! I really hoped so far! But now, eat well and really over! Tom, think about Volvo again! That would be great!

Markus
Markus
8 years earlier
Reply to  Greif08

Halloli Griffin08. So personally, I think that this is a Saab blog, and not that of another car brand. The only thing that is over is that there will be no new Saab's temporarily. However, that doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't write anything about Saab. Simply switching to another brand just because there are no more new Saab's, I do not consider it appropriate as a die-hard Saab'ler.

Greif08
Greif08
8 years earlier
Reply to  Markus

Hi Markus! Sure this is a SAAB blog, no question! And what a good one, with an enormous participation of the readership and great commitment from the blogger? There is no other way to explain the “liveliness” of a dead brand's blog. I don't mean evasive, but complement.

Greif08
Greif08
8 years earlier
Reply to  Greif08

Uuuuups, that should not be a question mark but a thick one !!!

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Very beautiful! Always true to the motto “It's safe to crash with a Volvo. If you sit in a Saab ”😉

Greif08
Greif08
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

I like it ☺!

X900
X900
8 years earlier

If you have a sense of reality then it's clear that 300 or 400 NEVS engineers are barely sufficient to be a serious partner for Dongfeng. NEVS should fix it where Dongfeng fails since 2007? I laugh out loud. 2000 or 3000 engineers, that would be something, but like that.

NEVS is a middle-class engineering company that dreams of getting rich through Dongfeng.

The dependency on NEVS is dangerously large, leaving a transfer away from China is over. Bergman told ttela in an interview yesterday that they are going to make big money now. Victor Muller had his head in the clouds, that's true. But Bergman and his troupe have no relation to reality at all.

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  X900

For lack of details, we can not say what's happening now. Maybe Dongfeng will integrate the external development offices back into NEVS. Maybe they send so much money that NEVS 2000 engineers can hire? Everything remains to be seen.

However, I must admit that this does not sound like the big bang that would restart Saab.

thylmuc
8 years earlier
Reply to  thylmuc

There is not only Tom, but also Tim, from Saabsunited. And he just wrote: “Whats also interesting is that many of my friends who used to be high-ranking engineers at SAAB are, either in the process of leaving their jobs to return to their former jobs in Trollhättan, or have already joined the team at NEVS. "

Lars
Lars
8 years earlier
Reply to  thylmuc

Then Tim has sold his BMW and closed his BMW blog and is back at SAAB? Or am I wrong?

GP362
GP362
8 years earlier

When I saw the picture, I already expected bad news.
What this cooperation really means will become apparent. Dongfeng is obviously involved worldwide, but without the big breakthrough. I do not think that will come from Trollhättan.
The plans for Tianjin are also still in the stars. There it just banged hard again and the first heads are rolling - Nevs has already stumbled upon a Chinese explosion.

Detlef Rudolf
Detlef Rudolf
8 years earlier

Hi Tom,

The last paragraph mentions that Dongfeng did not mention the word SAAB. Why?

Dongfeng wants to achieve better sales worldwide with its low-cost rail - NEVS should help out (at least in Europe). Primarily in the development of the European product range (technology, quality + sales). They probably have nothing to do with the SAAB brand.

I still assume that NEVS will compete again with SAAB if its own financial situation improves - but on a different level than Dongfeng with Aeolus.

Why should SAAB AB do something about higher levels of SAAB electric and hybrid vehicles? On the contrary: this would even positively influence the general awareness / image of SAAB AB.

It is also important that this is only about cooperation and no takeover has taken place - I do not see any points of contact between the Dongfeng armaments division and SAAB AB.

Detlef Rudolf
Detlef Rudolf
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Well, it was probably not yesterday at first SAAB.

NEVS has made several hints in the past that - to put it casually - they still have something to do with SAAB.

Yesterday, it was probably only about Dongfeng + NEVS in terms of further cooperation. SAAB will probably be on the agenda later at NEVS.

Bjorn
Bjorn
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Hello Tom, you are not wrong at all. All Chinese only want to pull knoff-hoff (possibly existing) out of the market in order to improve their own products. Saab has and will no longer play a role. Since the Saab technology and design is now "a bit grayed out", one wants to have only one mainstay in Europe in China and skim off knowledge in the short term. Any collaboration between the Chinese and European partners has been a warm-up of old techniques to this day. The Chinese want to save a lot of development time and money because of their commitment. For the domestic market that is completely sufficient. I don't think Chinese cars will play a role in Europe. We will no longer see cars with the Saab lettering.

Ulrich
Ulrich
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Few words, but met to the point. Nevs owner is a blender.

Ulrich

thylmuc
8 years earlier

Oh. Foxconn has a million workers and yet they can not develop an iPhone.

thylmuc
8 years earlier

Now do not be so terribly pessimistic. Dongfeng only has old technology. For example, also building on the Peugeot 407. Is that a permanent solution for the world market? NEVS is still developing a comparatively modern platform. It could now finally go ahead.

That is exactly what Dongfeng wants, access to modern technology and competent engineers. They now have so many collaborations that it doesn't go on a cow skin. Besides PSA also Nissan / Renault and Kia. And? All just parts assembly in Chinese factories, the “competence partners” will be careful not to tell the people at Dongfeng more than necessary.

NEVS is finally the chance for Dongfeng to get KNOW in the car sector. This allows them to develop vehicles for the Chinese market as well as for the global one.

I have no idea how Dongfeng wants to market them, in other words under which brand, but think about it ... Dongfeng? well. Feng what? No Aeolus? uh ... I'm just saying: that's all Quoros, uh, nonsense.

The industrialized countries buy cars from industrialized countries with well-known brand names. Let's see how Borgward gets in there.

trollifan
8 years earlier

I am glad that I have "tried out" and driven all Saabs in the last 20 years. Now I drive a 1996 900 SE Series II convertible, which I will turn into a classic car. This saved me from having to buy such a Chinese tin box. My God, what have they made of our serious individualist vehicle. It is to cry for.

Wolfgang Schmel
8 years earlier

My words in English from yesterday: Out over!

phibo
phibo
8 years earlier

To quote your namesake: "On August 17.08th, it's over."

Mr. Nordmann
Mr. Nordmann
8 years earlier

Why don't you hear anything from SAAB AB? They would have to express themselves slowly ...

TT
TT
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

The answer can be found today in the business section of our daily newspaper “Der Teckbote”. A current announcement by Saab AB is printed there, according to which there have been no negotiations about the naming rights with NEVS in the last few months and will not take place in the future. Mathias Bergmann is quoted in the article that the current negotiations with Saab AB would not be successful. The Teckbote is a serious paper and, apart from the annual jokes on April 1st, which the editorial staff can't take away, I haven't read anything in the newspaper that was not true. So if Saab AB says there are no more negotiations, then it will be. But please be consistent now and remove the Saab lettering from the factory roof, signs and above all from the NEVS homepage. NEVS is now NEVS and Saab Automobile was once upon a time and please do not associate the name with these Chinese anymore. If you take that exactly, it should also be called NEVC and not NEVS.

skol.93
skol.93
8 years earlier

Thanks for the great article. The picture is also top. Junkyard still life.

What I've noticed has nothing to do with Saab (as Tom says). There was no mention of a participation in NEVS by Dongfeng. It's just a partnership. So SAAB AB should have fewer problems with it at least on this point.

9-5 Aero
9-5 Aero
8 years earlier

Unfortunately, the faucets show wrong: Tempo, engine speed, turbo and fuel level are zero for SAAB!

phibo
phibo
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

High speed? To me it looks more like drowsy in peace ... strolling in the ditch.

9-5 Aero
9-5 Aero
8 years earlier
Reply to  phibo

Realistically, NEVS was never an automaker but an investor who wanted to cash in on the miserable remnants of the brand. The industrial vision was missing at any time.
Seen that way, at the latest after the 1. In Product Development Year, even the greatest optimist and SAAB enthusiasts have realized that only plan B and C are eligible.

Saabfan
8 years earlier
Reply to  9-5 Aero

Completely correct. So I think it's a shame that NEVS was even allowed to move into the Troll Factory. For me, the place where really innovative Swedish products were made has now become an outpost of China. It's a shame to bury the beautiful traditions and memories like this ...

i.ant.kal
8 years earlier

🙁 my day is over ... I was still hoping that it would somehow work out. Now I'll take care of my two Saabs .. Saabine and Aero Vader even more. I hope companies like Orio won't give up on us! It is better to never hear the name Saab in connection with these cheap boxes again. Leave Saab alone NEVS! And please change your website ... chinacars.com would be good!

Kochje
Kochje
8 years earlier

Gladly there is also a reason for us to go to Trollhattan in our Saabs; the museum. That we dan in Trollhattan wierder many jobs felt know only positive.
But you can only see Saabs in the museum, and of course those outside that are driven through us.

TnT Alex
TnT Alex
8 years earlier

What I liked best was your closing statement, it has NOTHING to do with SAAB and the Swedish government has lost part of its DNA! Unfortunately…
Let's keep our fingers crossed that Orio will continue to produce parts for the SAAB'S for a long time and that we will have the opportunity to drive them! 🙂

Lehmann Ulrich
Lehmann Ulrich
8 years earlier
Reply to  TnT Alex

Let's keep our fingers crossed that Orio will soon produce more parts for the Saabs and not just pick the raisins out. 🙂

Lars
Lars
8 years earlier

This will bring jobs to Troll Town and maybe build DONGFENG boxes there next year. Good for the city but SAAB is history. Is also just fine, would not read somewhere that a new SAAB on a DONGFENG AEOLUS meringues, the absolute super Gau!

Guys, take care of your staff, cherish, caresses and cares for you. What better do you get nowhere more!

cutsick
cutsick
8 years earlier

That no new car will ever wear a Saab logo has even penetrated even through my pink glasses.
By now I think that's a good thing too, I'm afraid that what's left of the Saab DNA might not fit into today's world. they were awesome cars, my 2 is still a lot of fun every day. as soon as my 2009er 9-3 but the time blesses will probably have to stand as an everyday car something different in front of the door.
What I still don't understand at NEVS is that nobody understands that electricity doesn't just come out of the socket. In my opinion, sustainability looks different (Stichwirt coal power plant, nuclear power plants, ...). not every country is as blessed as Austria that we have enough rivers and wind farms and do not need a single nuclear power plant (but still have one ;-).
but that too is really indifferent to me. I am of the opinion that it is just vital for the Trollhättan region that any automobile comes off the production line again. no matter which sticker is on it. no matter what is under the hood. The main thing is jobs. I don't have to buy the NEVS things ...

KG-930
KG-930
8 years earlier
Reply to  cutsick

If you've ever stood on site at the huge, barely used production hall and seen all the free space in between, you'll wonder whether it will ever be used sensibly again. As an engineering firm, Nevs doesn't need that and probably can't afford the maintenance for long. Dongfeng might be more likely, even if no Saabs come out there. The people who live there would like it not to become an industrial wasteland. And there may or may not be good cars from there at some point. Ultimately, I don't buy a car because of the letters on it.

Mountain goat
Mountain goat
8 years earlier

SAAB = modern classic from Sweden. Came from a small town on the Göta Canal. The engineering trolls were smart and modest, which was disadvantageous ... What was the advantage of the SAABs, the longevity, is now becoming a survival pattern ... 😉 I keep my mind ... 🙂
NEVS: ticked off. Long time.

Zirkoski
Zirkoski
8 years earlier
Reply to  Mountain goat

Class I said, I fully agree. We too will continue to care as long as possible, and that will be a long time. I just hope the bloggers do not pull the plug now 🙁

Kochje
Kochje
8 years earlier
Reply to  Zirkoski

I do that too; Well, both of you. Try to read this blog every day and stay until the end Saabist.

Mountain goat
Mountain goat
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Phew, lucky!
There's always something to report about SAAB! The “past” certainly still has some “dark corners” 😉 ... I / WE are looking forward to it! 🙂 So SAAB stays with the fans for a long time ...
Only when there is nothing left, the brand SAAB is really dead.

Kochje
Kochje
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Thanks Tom, we will be happy !!!!!

Franc troll
Franc troll
8 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Being able to SAAB read every day is very important. Without a blog and the regular administration of SAAB literature, the SAAB drive would be much less fun

Hans S.
Hans S.
8 years earlier
Reply to  Mountain goat

Mountain goat; it could not be expressed! And that's exactly how I do it!
Greeting Hans S.

Bjorn
Bjorn
8 years earlier

None of this had anything to do with Saab. Anyone who knows a little about Chinese investments in Europe had to suspect that, in the best case scenario, they wanted to “buy” Knoff-hoff. The European car market is the most difficult for China. So what has now been announced also makes sense for the Chinese. I was called a pessimist and a black sheep here years ago, but unfortunately I was right. Saab as we knew it has long been history. Unfortunately. And nothing will change that. As long as there are still acceptable Saabs on the market, I will drive a Saab. But if the time is over, a brand will come into the house that is also not one of the mass producers. Alternatives are e.g. B. Jaguar, Teslar, Infinity or something similar.

Franc troll
Franc troll
8 years earlier

NEVS and Plan B, a pure china box, could not have been worse. No more desire. My SAAB's last a long, long, that's good. Bye NEVS!

phibo
phibo
8 years earlier

A few months ago there was information in the “Pitwalk” magazine about the Citroen C-Elysée, which is used by Citroen in the WTCC. It is a cheap sedan that Citroen has developed especially for less high-turnover, francophone markets, especially in China and North Africa - basically automotive development aid and secondary recycling of various older small car components. If NEVS cooperates with Dongfeng on the basis of this model, it will probably be nothing with the European market. Citroen has also not dared to approach the southern European market areas, which are open to cheap cars.

SAAB. * 10.06.1947. † 17.07.2015