Saab announces a significant 9-3 EV order

Saab owner National Electric Vehicle Sweden has entered into a 'strategic collaboration agreement' with Chinese leasing company Panda New Energy.

Under the terms of the deal – which will run until the end of 2020 – Nevs is going to supply 150,000 examples of the electric-powered 9-3 Sedan, plus 100,000 other unspecified electric vehicles.

Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle Prototype (2014) Side

The total value of the contract is apparently CNY78 billion (approximately £8 bn. / €11 bn. / US$12 bn. at current exchange rates). That equates to around CNY312,000 (£32,300 / €44,200 / US$48,100) per unit.

While some serious Chinese state intervention was probably needed to get the order, it should nevertheless safeguard the future of both Nevs and the Saab brand.

However, two important questions remain unanswered:

1. Given China's punitive import duties, is production set to take place there instead of Sweden?

2. Because intellectual property rights to the current 9-3 were sold recently to Turkey, is an all-new model is being developed?

Related posts:
Saab 9-3 production is moving to Turkey
Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle prototypes exist

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