Saab Is Dead, And Actually For Real This Time

It's been announced that NEVS will not use the Saab name on any of its vehicles, effectively marking the end for the illustrious Swedish brand in the automotive world

Matt Robinson

22 Jun 2016

Saab Is Dead, And Actually For Real This Time

The most curious thing about the death of car manufacturer Saab is that it never really died. Not entirely, anyway: Chinese-backed NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden) bought the company’s assets a few years ago, with ambitious plans to launch a range of new electric cars under the illustrious brand.

There has been doubt over whether or not NEVS could use the Saab name, and sure enough, that part of the plan has now been dropped. The owner of the brand - aerospace and defence firm Saab AB, owners of Saab Automobile until 1990 - will no longer allow NEVS to use the name.

Although if you listen to NEVS, the company is attempting to put a positive spin on the development, with president Mattias Bergman saying: “With sincere respect to our history and heritage, we want to be recognised as ourselves – a sustainable mobility solutions provider who are committed to the environment with a focused growth plan with its own brand as a corner stone.”

What this means is the Saab name is at last dead in the automotive world, and we’re rather pleased about that. It means the brand can die out with some dignity, rather than being used for a bunch of bastardised electric 9-3s destined for the Chinese market. Instead, we can focus on remembering Saab for all the cool and quirky cars it built over the years.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Well, at least they are still making jet fighters.

Saab and Saab fan boys may now be at peace.

And their new model will still be called 9-3 like wtf!?!?

But not Saab 9-3, they will call it the Nevs 9-3. They still own the model name.

I was really saddened by the death of Saab.
They had only just started selling the new 9-5, which was just drop dead gorgeous.
I doubt it could have saved the company as yet another rebranded Opel/Vauxhall Insignia.
But those looks…my god.

The day Saab was first announced for bankruptcy is still one of the saddest days in my life. I still remember when GM first sold it to Spyker and the hope that it brought, and the absolute devastation when Spyker tried to get a Russian backer but the Swedish government didn’t allow it. And the hatred for Victor Muller (president of Spyker) for bringing Saab further down the drain and leading it to an inevitable death. (even though it probably wasn’t even his fault, but I needed someone to blame)
And once again the hope that I would maybe be able to buy a new Saab as an adult when NEVS was born and the sadness when they said that it would basically only make cars for the Chinese market.
Its been a bumpy ride the last few years during which I have been extremely happy and cried many times.

So as an absolute Saab nut I am actually kind of relieved that it is gone for sure, but still very sad that it couldn’t continue making the awesome quirky and great cars that it once did.
And also very sad that my dream of being a engineer at Saab now is completely impossible.
But I guess I will have to have hope for NEVS now.

So Saab I guess this is the definite and final… goodbye, I will always love you and you are always in my thoughts.