Range Rover

Saab resumed production at its Trollhattan, Sweden plant yesterday – a month after Dutch firm Spyker Cars took over as owner from General Motors.

Spyker Cars chief executive Victor Muller and Saab chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson were present at the Trollhattan plant, south-western Sweden, where an estimated 100 cars will initially be assembled daily.

"Today's resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company," said Jan Ake Jonsson. "We are up and running as an independent manufacturer and I am delighted to share the experience on the line alongside our workforce. They have shown tremendous commitment to the company and we are all now focused on ramping up production to meet customer demand."

Production at the Trollhattan plant was originally idled for seven weeks. Now, first coming off the production line was a new Saab 9-5 sedan that will join a test fleet before the model gets officially launched later this year. When the new 9-5 SportCombi gets introduced next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant.
Source: Saab





Press Release

Newly-independent Saab Resumes Car Production

- Production resumes at Saab Automobile's Trollhättan plant
- First cars manufactured by Saab as an independent company
- All-new Saab 9-5 sedan was first car down the line
- Saab CEO, Spyker CEO, and Trollhättan Plant Director in attendance

Trollhättan, Sweden. The production lines at Saab Automobile's state-of-the-art Trollhättan plant began rolling again today, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company. To mark the occasion, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhättan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius took up positions on the line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built.

Production at the Trollhättan plant was originally halted for seven weeks. Now, following the purchase of Saab Automobile AB by Spyker Cars NV, the first cars to be built by Saab as an independent company will soon be delivered to customers.

"Today's resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company" said Jan Åke Jonsson. "We are up and running as an independent manufacturer and I am delighted to share the experience on the line alongside our workforce. They have shown tremendous commitment to the company and we are all now focused on ramping up production to meet customer demand."

First on the line today was an all-new Saab 9-5 sedan, destined to join a test fleet prior to the model's official launch later this year. Further down the line was a Saab Convertible, now also being produced in Trollhättan as part of the concentration of Saab operations in Sweden. With the introduction of the new 9-5 SportCombi next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant.

"We have a highly flexible, world-class facility here at Trollhättan," said Plant Director Gunnar Brunius. "Our ability to build so many different models in one location improves plant utilization and will deliver valuable efficiency gains. With these state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated workforce, we are in excellent shape."

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars said: "Everyone at Saab has worked extremely hard to reach this important point. Today production restarted with a new 9-5 first down the line – a fitting symbol that a new era has begun."