National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) is not going to use the Saab name and logo on its future models as Saab AB, the aerospace company is not going to allow them to do so.
NEVS is planning to build an all-electric model by 2018 based on the platform of the Saab 9-3, with a Chinese leasing firm already ordering 150,000 units for the domestic market.
Two years ago, Saab AB forbade NEVS from using the Saab Griffin badge after the latter sought protection from creditors. NEVS then said that they expect to be able to renegotiate the use of the name after they solve their funding problems.
Pictures of an electric Saab 9-3 released by NEVS at that time showed a redesigned logo without the characteristic griffin on it.
Now that these funding problems appear to be solved, Saab AB told AutoNews that they still will not allow the use of the Saab brand name and that there is no longer a discussion about NEVS using it.
Kai Johan Jiang, NEVS owner, said that the upcoming electric 9-3 model will be sold under a new brand name to suit the Chinese market in an interview with Sveriges Radio, Sweden’s public broadcaster.
Apart from the electric 9-3 which is scheduled for 2017, NEVS also plans to introduce four new models, a compact and a mid-size SUV, a mid-size fastback and an “Urban Adventurer” which sounds like another type of crossover vehicle. The first sketches of the new models were shown at a conference in Sweden in early December.
The new models are going to be produces as painted car bodies in the Trollhättan factory and then shipped to China for the final assembly and delivery.
H/T to Saabplanet for the sketches!
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