Notes from Sweden
A few years ago, the future of Swedish automobile production seemed uncertain. The situation has changed completely, mobility from Sweden has a future. The Expressen reported this week of the "ongoing hunt" for engineers. A problem that all players in southern Sweden have.
Volvo stops, CEVT sets, and NEVS fuels the situation in addition. The list of vacancies is impressive and longer than ever. The new brand from the former Saab plant has a lot in store. The confidence in NEVS and in the future of Trollhättan seems to exist.
Cliff Models, a company from Gothenburg, took over the former “Modelverkstad” in 2012. Saab has been producing prototypes for its own brand and the GM Group for decades. In addition to Volvo, NEVS is also an important customer. Cliff Models continues to invest, increases the range of services, and is currently installing a Diamond 30 in Trollhättan, as reported by TTELA.
The 1.5 million-euro machine, the first of its kind in Sweden, will be used for toolmaking and will produce the tools needed to produce the new NEVS vehicles. Ready for production is the Diamond 30 from the KW 32.
The birth of a brand
The birth of a new brand is something special. People from IT often prefer garages as birthplace, which often causes great things. My first IT job started in such a building many years ago. Others are looking for a pompous frame, some companies start in an unadorned hall.
NEVS preferred the simple variant and a few days ago posted a video of the ceremony on YouTube. Jonas Hernqvist, previously responsible for the Asian region at Saab Automobile AB, announced the start into the future. National Electric Vehicle Sweden became NEVS. The simple environment and the simplicity of the presentation should not lead us to fallacies about the future of the company. Because, as I said, interesting things can begin in garages. Or in a simple factory hall.
Electric car from Sweden. Range 500 kilometers.
Of course, NEVS is not in a vacuum. The range of electric cars is filled with new products almost daily. In 2012, when I bought the Saab legacy, it sounded like the future. 4 years later, almost every provider travels with the topic. Things got concrete yesterday in Gothenburg. The first two electric cars from Volvo will come in 2019. A big one, presumably based on the XC60 successor, which has grown in length, with a range of 500 kilometers. And a small one based on the new CMA platform, which was developed by the former Saab development chief Mats Fägerhag at CEVT. It should have a range of 300 kilometers.
Even for new brands, there is no puppy protection. The platform for the new generation of NEVS electric cars is, according to official announcement, 2019 or 2020 ready. 8 years after the purchase of the Saab legacy and a new platform does not stand for a new vehicle at the same time. That could come 2021. If that data is correct, and if you do not stack deep in Trollhättan.
Can the NEVS brand, electric mobility is the foundation of the company, allow Volvo to give way? Exciting question ... The race for series production of the first Swedish electric car is on. Rivalries between Gothenburg and Trollhättan, between Volvo and Saab, have been good for the Swedish auto industry since 1947 and an incentive for both sides. Why should it change between Volvo and NEVS?
Just wondering what you (in Sweden !!!) with 300-500 km range wants.
In Addition:
1. The 500 km will certainly only be achieved as part of a completely unrealistic test cycle.
2. The battery must be absolutely new for this.
3. The charging process will take a lot longer than needed for refueling.
However, Swedish real estate has always been fascinating. 😉
The range of my SAAB is not bigger either.
Especially with the E85 (low calorific value), I was happy if there were more than 300 km in the city or when driving fast on the motorway ...
An e-car with 300-500 km I consider practical. Also for long distances, if it can be loaded in the context of reasonable breaks anyway.
Especially in countries with speed limits such as Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands then fits the range. 300 or 500 kilometers are then reality and the EV is suitable for everyday life.
What has actually happened to the intended (planned) contract manufacturing at NEVS?
Or is one now able to do without the revenue?
There were no more updates on the topic. And I have no prognosis.
Yesterday I read about new batteries for the first time from the company Kreisel from Austria - the concept sounds really promising and apparently the big manufacturers have already noticed ...
http://www.xing-news.com/reader/news/articles/352498?link_position=digest&newsletter_id=14730&xng_share_origin=email
Ha, I also thought about this company because I read an article about it yesterday (http://www.kreiselelectric.com/). It is very exciting and above all it shows that even small companies are able to come up with new ideas that are very promising.
Yes, so some delays have already come together, and probably the realization that despite all the modularity Phoenix 1 is probably not soooo suitable for electric cars. Meanwhile, my concern is growing again, the NEVS could come too late, and may possibly deliver nothing spectacular because of lack of battery technology. Well, let's see what the intermediate generation has to offer.
It would be tragic if NEVS were “too late” and actually inconceivable because green and sustainable mobility is on the flag. We may see the intermediate generation in Europe too, NEVS leaves a lot open. It would be exciting.
For sure that NEVS did not start at zero, they can spend a lot of time. If OVLOV lands in front of NEVS, that would be blamable. Nothing of e-mobility pioneer.