Saab, through its owner Swedish Automobile, has signed an agreement with Zhejiang Youngman to form a joint venture in Sweden to develop three Saab models. The company issued a statement which said that the 50:50 JV, called the New Product Joint Venture, will be responsible for coming out with three vehicles, these being the 9-1, 9-6 and 9-7.
Saab will be responsible for controlling and managing the design, the development and testing of the new vehicles, utilising its existing capabilities and know-how from Trollhättan, with Youngman pitching in with financial support.
The 9-1 is likely to be based on the 9-X BioHybrid, while the 9-6 will see the resurrection of a SUV project from six years ago that never saw the light – a Subaru B9-based prototype was built, and has now sits on display at the Saab Museum.
The venture is aiming to build the prestige of the Saab brand to an even larger group of customers in China and the US with the 9-6 and 9-7, while the entry level 9-1 is being targeted as a global offering. The agreement between Swedish Automobile and Youngman has yet to be approved by regulators in Sweden and China, reports say.
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The function of Lotus-Proton come to mind with this deal actually. Has DSZ think about it or maybe technology transfer from SAAB to Proton indirectly by Youngman hand?
If this takes off then it could also be the end of Proton-Youngman business. With Proton, Youngman is a customer but with Saab, it’s a JV.
That car looks … futuristic :mrgreen:
Saab Evoque? :-)
no, saab new hatchback.
Saab will bring back the hatchbacks this time!!!
Trollhättan… =)
Long Live SAAB!!
Saab will bring back the hatchbacks this time!!! Long Live Saab!!!