Saab News China: BAIC Saab 9-5 goes into production at the end of the year

Allow: BAIC C60, formerly Saab 9-3
Allow: BAIC C60, formerly Saab 9-3

If all signs point to a storm in Sweden, things will continue in China. The old Saab 9-5 will at least live on in China. BAIC has invested 4 billion RMB in a new “high end production” and brought the new models C70 and C80 to series production.

The new BAIC C70 and C80 are aimed at the premium segment and are also offered with pure e-drive. Both are based on the good old Saab 9-5 platform. At the end of 2009, BAIC acquired these platforms with gearboxes and motors for 192 million US $ from Saab.

The money was a dowry for Victor Muller, who found a well-stocked account on his acquisition and a chance for Saab. As we now know, these opportunities have not been properly exploited and, instead, another debt pile has accumulated.

In November is the production launch of the ex-Saab 9-5 in China, with the well-known Saab turbo engines, with Saab Trionic in the 2.0 liter and 2.3 liter version. Further developed and improved by BAIC engineers. Newly dressed with Italian help. Probably the first BAIC product which will meet European claims in Hinsischt on chassis and safety.

The BAIC C60 and C50, based on the Saab 9-3 platform, will follow a little later in the year.

BAIC wanted to take over Saab completely in March of this year, but failed to Muller and Antonov. Another missed opportunity.

Text: tom@saabblog.net