Happiness & unhappiness
Chinese owners, identical platform, no matching engine. Two companies, a basically comparable starting point. While under NEVS direction only a renewed infusion of the 9 3 sedan was enough, BAIC is burning a novelty firework.
Visitors to the Guangzhou Auto Show can marvel at what's possible on Saab platforms. The most interesting premiere, in our view, is the BAIC Senova X65. A midsize SUV on modified Saab 9-3 platform.
BAIC is now talking about the Matrix platform. It is unclear whether the base is identical to that of the Saab 9-3 SUV, which we never saw, or whether it is a new BAIC development. BAIC faced the same problems as NEVS, not having a suitable engine for the base. One problem, two approaches. While NEVS was buying engines all over the world, the Chinese from the capital took the more difficult, more expensive route. The “old” Saab machines, at least the 2 liter turbo version, have been modified for the 9-3 base. Under the hood of the Senova X65, the 2.0 liter Saab Turbo will work with 201 hp, as the transmission - writes the Carnewschina - a manual 5-speed gearbox or a 6-speed automatic is used.
The group from the capital is on the road to success with the Saab-Senova line and skilfully plays with the Saab genes. The front grille of all Senova models should, according to Chinese perception, be reminiscent of Saab's aircraft genes. The result is a very unique design line that no longer has anything in common with the original product. Amazingly, the design language is consistently applied to all new releases; car manufacturers from China learn quickly. BAIC is now showing novelty after novelty. A large sedan based on the extended Mercedes E Class (W212), recognizable as Senova at first glance, will round off the range at the top.
The compact sedan Senova D60, also on Saab 9-3 basis, is supplemented by a particularly sporty model. The Senova CC Concept shows the Chinese idea of a sporty middle class sedan, of course again with Saab 2.0 liter turbo and Trionic.
The purchase of Saab Technik was a good investment for BAIC. It is an open secret that they would have liked to have taken over the brand and work in 2011. GM was in favor, as was the Chinese state. The brand would have been spared bankruptcy, the employees would have kept their jobs. The sheer misery we see today in the Stallbacka industrial area would never have happened. All that was missing was Victor Muller's signature. He was of a different opinion. Small decisions! They can change the lives of many people forever.
Look in part like Saab or other vehicles.
But is a China replica of not funkzunieren will!
Hi Tom, thanks for the info.
What a dreadful cart; how can you make such a junk out of such a beautiful car? Nix half and nothing whole. Front DB, in the middle slight touch of Volvo X60 and rear China. The Chinese are not just a car maker and will not be in this life either.
With all respect for an entrepreneurial achievement; Even Hazardeure have great courage when they plunge into the abyss. Certainly VM did not lack daring. Unfortunately, it is the case with most of the big personalities that they also have shortcomings and are just as dumb as the average person. If things actually happened like this on this blog, then for unknown reasons, VM put SAAB on the final kill.
What came afterwards with NEVS was even worse: The title here should actually be “Ability and inability, that has little to do with luck. In the next few weeks / months we will see what NEVS will do with the miserable residual values.
If it's true, it's probably the same thing that happens again. An entrepreneur struggles not to lose all his fortune.
Therefore, a capital increase is sought, in which the original still remains involved, although actually only one sale could save the situation for a short time.
Fighting, not losing the whole fortune is certainly legitimate. This must be granted to every entrepreneur.
As the story was told on this blog, VM already had the contract for the sale to BAIC (a state company) in its pocket and would have earned several million with it. Nevertheless, he is said to have pulled the plug at the last minute because he hoped to rake in more gold with Antonov. That was a bit too much courage - or arrogance.
As a result, VM was considered unreliable and any business dealings with the Chinese were doomed to failure.
In any case, the Chinese seem to be making more than NEVS out of the SAAB legacy - at least one product has been created that can be sold in China. It doesn't need to please the Europeans either, it's not intended for these markets.
At NEVS, nothing usable, whether EV or anything else, has arisen in the same time.
Thanks, what VM have you got me the work and everything in a nutshell
I didn't even know that VM screwed up that too ... The information on this blog is first class - unfortunately you can't change the content!
Without VM, no 11.280 (?) Great 9-5 NG would be on the road and the dream SUV 9-4X would have never existed.
Surely he made mistakes, but he believed in it and tried it with all his means without ever having a chance against GM. With these gag-license contracts it was doomed to failure.
Who but Viktor Muller had the courage to try it? He is still a great person for me today, to whom I have great respect.
Not even the Swedish government
The 9-5 NG is really great. Yesterday and today almost 1.300 kilometers driven (so rest on the blog), a dream!
Maybe we still experience the big surprise and behind one of these ominous Asian negotiating partners negotiated with NEVS Baic is behind it and instead of Senova is soon Saab on the cars. However, I would not really know if you should wish that the old Saab technology in China evolved again comes back to Europe with Saab label. I do not think so.
I hope for Toyota and not for BAIC-senova
Well, maybe not for SAAB fans ???? but that would be nothing for me then 9-4X or stay with the old one
The front looks like a Mercedes CLA. No, the Chinese are and will remain Chinese ... copying without esprit.
When I see the engine like that ... I miss Saab.
Exactly, with the sale of that engine production by GM to China, SAAB had lost its heart and started the slaughterhouse.
Tom, Victor would have other plans; and he would be right.
But if you look back now you might have some criticism.
But I think this criticism is not right
Of course, Muller had other plans, I was only interested in how a decision can change the lives of many people. It should not be criticism of VM, this time.
I'm not here, Tom
... .. it would really be about time that Saab as a brand (I am aware that it no longer exists) had a little luck and would no longer only serve to calm personal sensitivities .......
Had she (the brand) got the deserved luck, we would not have got NEVS. Even with Volvo it is still running with Chinese, only SAAB had this great bad luck.
Maybe you could have thought in a different direction. With a Russian investor and LADA as the supplier for the lower vehicle classes, the whole package might have stayed in Europe. In addition, the Russians would have a nice base for their missing state car. I would have liked the solution in any case better than the current Fussampel
LADA—> so Renault Nissan 😉
Oh god, well, Saab was spared this scenario ...
Bah..ic, the interior of the 65x is almost one-to-one copied from the 9-4x, but they have (luckily) made the oversized lumpy centerpiece themselves. But if now even Audi mortuary operation operates Saab design complaints are probably out of place. Still sad.
senova cc concept that's the name of the most daring copy of a current a-class?