NEVS has signed a deal to get a full supply of batteries for it's 9-3 Electric Vehicle.

NEVS secures battery supply

NEVS has signed a strategic framework agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) to secure the battery supply for NEVS 9-3 EV in the Chinese market.

CATL is a Chinese leading energy storage solution provider headquartered in Ningde, Fujian, with focus on the research and development of li-ion battery (LIB) intended for electric vehicles. The company was one of the first nine battery suppliers that fulfills the domestic industrial standards and the government’s requirement for EV subsidies.

“CATL’s supply capacity and proven technology will allow us to shorten the lead time to the market, fulfilling both our demand in quantity and quality. Their local experience and network will eventually benefit NEVS’ own customers in the Chinese market. ” says Kai Johan Jiang, Chairman of NEVS.

NEVS received a total order of 250,000 EVs from Panda New Energy, an EV leasing company based in Beijing. Through NEVS 50% owned factory in Fujian, the first patch of 100,000 electric commercial vehicles have started to be delivered. The rest of 150,000 9-3 EV are scheduled to roll out from NEVS JV plant in Tianjin in 2018.

About CATL

Established in 2011, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) is dedicated to providing effective energy storage solutions through advanced battery technology.

The company possesses R&D and manufacturing capabilities for power and energy storage battery as well as core technologies for the whole industrial chain of materials, battery cells, battery system and battery recycling. CATL was awarded the "Annual China Energy Storage Industry's most influential Enterprises in 2015".

CATL aims to provide best cost to performance services to its customers through technology innovation and product differentiation. It is one of the leading EV battery providers globally and the clear market leader in China with a large portfolio of world class customers. At the end of 2016, CATL employed over 10,000 employees worldwide.

NEVS utilises a new designed name and replaces SAAB, as they ready a new EV based on the old 9-3 platform.

NEVS’ vision is to shape mobility for a more sustainable future by focusing solely on electric vehicles with mobility solutions built around them. To support this vision a new brand identity has been developed – NEVS. 

NEVS will be the trademark of the company’s products including the first electric vehicle based on the 9-3 platform with start in 2017. That means that NEVS will no longer use the Saab trademark.

The automotive industry is changing rapidly to better fit societies struggling with pollution and congestion problems. NEVS intends to be in the forefront of this change.

With sincere respect to our history and heritage, we want to be recognized 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, said Mattias Bergman, President NEVS.

NEVS long-term business goal is set globally, with China as its first priority and most demanding market for the coming years. NEVS intends to build a strong footprint in China as a base for a global expansion, and continue to establish partnerships with forefront runners to shape the future of mobility solutions.

A number of framework agreements have already been signed, including a strategic partnership agreement with Panda New Energy to deliver 150,000 electric cars and another 100,000 electric commercial vehicles, as well as the collaboration with Chinese State Grid, the world’s largest electric utility company.

NEVS has a unique position by combining proven ability to develop and build high quality premium cars and at the same time the opportunity to build an automotive company for the future with new owners and partners specialized in for instance car sharing solutions and charging infrastructure.

"I believe the tipping point for electric vehicles is very near in many key markets. We aim to contribute to a more sustainable city planning, and together with our partners such as State Grid and Panda New Energy jointly introduce a new business model for mobility", said Jonas Hernqvist, VP Sales & Marketing NEVS.

A transparent approach – with traits such as being inclusive, honest and genuine – is essential for NEVS, both in terms of behavior and visualization. From colors to imagery, our new brand design should always reflect our aim of shaping mobility for a more sustainable future.

After a few false starts it is looking more clear that SAAB will be back, in China first, but who knows after that.

Nevs has signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Panda New Energy Ltd., about 150,000 9-3 Sedan EV

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (Nevs) and the Chinese company Panda New Energy Co., Ltd. have signed a strategic collaboration agreement. According to the agreement, Nevs will provide Panda with 150,000 9-3 sedan electric vehicles until the end of 2020. 

In addition, the agreement also includes 100 000 other EV products and services from companies associated to Nevs and its owners. The total value of the agreement is 78 billion RMB.

Panda New Energy is a new energy vehicle leasing company with focus on low emission mobility solutions. Cooperating with many chauffeured car service platforms in China, Panda aims to become one of the biggest EV leasing companies in the world.

“This is a strategic collaboration for Nevs not only in terms of the numbers of vehicles, but it is also an important step to implement our vision and new business plan. In the long term, we want to provide our customers with both sustainable products and mobility services,” said Stefan Tilk, Vice Chairman Nevs.

”We are very pleased to form a cooperation with Nevs, a company with a rich innovation heritage and the right ability to fulfil our demands. Being in an emerging market for new energy vehicles, we are happy to find a partner who shares our commitment to the environment,” said Ma Chao, Chairman Panda New Energy.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB’s (Nevs) vision is to shape mobility for a more sustainable future, and focuses on the development of electric vehicles and sustainable mobility services. Nevs acquired the main assets of the former Saab Automobile in 2012. Nevs is Co-owned by National Modern Energy Holdings, Tianjin Binhai Hi-tech industrial Development Area (THT), and the Beijing State Research Information Technology Co., Ltd. (SRIT).

NEVS has been chosen by TÜBITAK as its partner for developing a Turkish National Car

TÜBITAK, (the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) which has been assigned to develop “Turkish National Car” and realize this important mission, has chosen National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, Nevs, as the industrial partner for the project.

The cooperation has started in June 2015 between Nevs and TÜBITAK and future industrial synergies in terms of development and manufacturing shall be generated with this cooperation. 

In the short term perspective this cooperation shall put Nevs’ assets to work and shall give Turkey quick access to extensive automotive knowledge and experience.

Nevs shall also provide its know-how in the developing of the business plan and establishing of the supply and distribution chains to TÜBITAK.

Together with the new shareholders Tianjin and SRIT, the partner Teamsun as well as the cooperation with Dongfeng Motor, the cooperation with TÜBITAK is an important step in building up Nevs as a strong automotive company with industrial, technological and financial partnerships.

“I am very proud to have this strategic cooperation in place. Turkey will be a long-term partner and we will both gain a lot from this cooperation. With Turkey’s focus on electric vehicles we also see this as an important step towards our vision of shaping mobility for a more sustainable future”, said Mattias Bergman, President of Nevs.

Facts about TÜBITAK

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, TÜBITAK, is the leading agency for management, funding and conduct of research in Turkey. TÜBITAK was established in 1963 with a mission to advance science and technology, conduct research and support Turkish researchers.

TÜBITAK is an autonomous institution and is governed by a scientific board whose members are selected from prominent scholars from universities, industry and research institutions. TÜBITAK is responsible for promoting, developing, organizing, conducting and coordinating research and development in line with national targets and priorities. Further, TÜBITAK is one of the key institutions involved in the Turkish national car project.

The pictures above are from the final bacth of cars produced by NEVS before it went into administration, this car was it's self absed on teh SAAB 9-3, this car, and the SAAB name are in no way to be confused with the Turkish plan, as the SAAB name is not allowed to be used, and the exterior design, will in some degree will be changed in part or in whole.

NEVS SAAB to co-operate with Chinese giant to develop cars and expand other parts of the business.

Nevs and Dongfeng tie-up for long-term strategic Nevs and Dongfeng tie-up for long-term strategic cooperation

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (Nevs) and Dongfeng Motor Corporation (Dongfeng) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on August 17, 2015 to achieve global industrial synergies.

Since July 2015, Nevs has started working with Dongfeng on complete vehicle development projects to enhance Dongfeng’s technical strength and improve Nevs’ own development capability. 

Now both parties have agreed to expand their cooperation from technical development to further business areas such as global purchasing and distribution network.

The cars illustrated below are the pictures of the final versions made by NEVS before the model was halted.

Dongfeng has formed several strategic long term partnerships with other international major car manufacturers including AB Volvo and as a 14 percent shareholder of PSA. 

Dongfeng Motor, with several JVs in China including Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, Nissan, Infinity, Honda and Kia, is one of the world's largest automobile companies, with an annual output over 3.83 million units in 2014 and 1.83 million in the first half of 2015. 

A long-term and stable alliance with Dongfeng is of great significance for Nevs to achieve its business opportunity.

According to the agreement, Dongfeng will support Nevs on the construction of new energy vehicles production and R&D in Tianjin and the formation of Nevs’ sales and service with support from Dongfeng’s dealer network. Dongfeng will also support Nevs to achieve the new energy vehicle mass production.

Nevs will support Dongfeng on their own brands to meet regulations and technical specifications of overseas markets, and assist DFM to develop important markets in Europe and North America.

“Dongfeng is one of the leading vehicle company groups in the world. Through this cooperation, Nevs’ will be able to create industrial synergies, share the development costs, expand the supplier bases and increase the overall competitiveness for our own future products. 

This cooperation is one of the steps for Nevs to become a front-runner in the automotive industry, with focus on electric vehicles” said Mr. Mattias Bergman, President, Nevs.

DFM Brief Introduction

Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM) is the third biggest Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei Province. As of December 2014, DFM had in total approximately 176 000 full-time employees.

DFM is connected with a variety of international OEMs and produces a wide range of foreign products in China including those of Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, Honda, Kia, Nissan and Infinity. The total output in 2014 was 3.83 million units with revenue of 483 billion RMB.

In 2012 DFM acquired 70% of T engineering, a Trollhättan based engineering company and a spin off from Saab Automobile Powertrain, as their first R&D center overseas.

In 2014, DFG became the 14% shareholder of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

DFM is listed as no.113 in the world on Fortune 500.

GREAT NEWS - SAAB is BACK, new Owner agrees to buy majority stake and subsidise current finances.

India's Mahindra & Mahindra has agreed to buy a majority stake in National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), the investment group that bought the assets of Saab Automobile two years ago, a report said.

NEVS' administrator, Lars Eric Gustafsson, said today in a statement that an Asian carmaker has agreed to purchase a majority stake in NEVS. Neither Gustafsson nor NEVS identified the company.

The website SaabsUnited said NEVS and Mahindra have signed an agreement for Mahindra to step in as majority owner of NEVS. The agreement is being kept secret until it is finalized the website said.

Gustafsson's statement said the Asian carmaker agreed on Nov. 30 to the deal and to finance the company’s operating costs until the agreement is complete early next year.

Gustafsson also said that NEVS is in talks with another Asian manufacturer on a joint venture to develop new vehicles.

NEVS, a Chinese-Japanese investment group led by renewable energy power-plant builder National Modern Energy Holdings, sought protection from its creditors in August after struggling to deliver on a target to produce 120,000 cars a year by 2016. That would have come close to the Saab brand’s 2006 peak annual ouput of 133,000 vehicles.

The potential majority shareholder has offered to provide bridge financing of 5 million euros ($6.2 million) a month to cover operating costs until the agreement is complete, NEVS said. Pending due diligence, the company said the deal should be finished by February.

NEVS was granted permission by a Swedish court on Aug. 29 to carry out a reorganization of the company. It applied today to Vaenersborg District Court to extend the reconstruction period by three months.

NEVS said it had trouble paying its creditors after its shareholder, Qingbo Investment Co., didn’t fulfill a promised investment of 1.15 billion kronor ($155 million).

Saab was previously owned by General Motors Co., which acquired full control in 2000, before selling it in 2010 to Dutch supercar maker Spyker NV, which failed to revive the brand. The auto business split from Saab AB’s aerospace operations in 1990.

Gustafsson's statement said the majority owner will negotiate with Saab AB to use the Saab brand name and badge. Saab AB withdrew permission after NEVS applied for creditor protection. NEVS expects to be able to renegotiate the Saab brand agreement following a solution to its funding troubles.

Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet reported on Aug. 5 that NEVS was in talks with Mahindra & Mahindra and China’s Dongfeng Motor on funding, citing unidentified people with knowledge of the talks.

More sad news as NEVS lays off staff as Saab output remains idled

China's cash-strapped National Electric Vehicle Sweden said it would lay off up to 200 employees at its Saab car plant in Sweden as production is unlikely to resume anytime soon.

NEVS, which bought the bankrupt Swedish carmaker Saab in 2012, halted already-low output in May because of a shortage of money. In August, it obtained protection from creditors through a Swedish court while trying to secure funding.

"The ongoing discussions on collaboration and ownership structure, which have not yet resulted in a binding agreement, indicate that the decision for a start-up of production will take time," NEVS said in a statement Wednesday.

It said the layoffs, due to lack of work, were a step in a reorganization plan that the company's administrator would present at a creditors' meeting on Oct. 8. NEVS currently has 550 employees.

NEVS has said it was in talks with two unnamed car firms to secure more money, that it has external debt of about 400 million crowns ($56 million), and that it generated a pretax loss last year of 601 million crowns on sales of 41 million crowns ($5.9 million).

The firm is betting on an electric version -- now in a prototype stage -- of a decade-old Saab model to bring the brand back from the dead. It is targeting its home market of China.

REPORT HERE

SAAB owner NEVS applies to courts for protection from creditors, yet again. (UPDATED)

China's National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which bought bankrupt carmaker Saab in 2012, has made a new application for protection from creditors while it concludes funding talks, a Swedish court said today.

The same court on Thursday rejected a first application from NEVS and said the solutions it had outlined to secure funding looked "vague and completely undocumented."

The company has been in talks with two unnamed car firms to secure additional money.

NEVS could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.

The company, which has not made any cars since May due to lack of money, has external debt of about 400 million Swedish crowns ($57.5 million), it said in its first application, and made a pretax loss of 601 million crowns on sales of 41 million last year.

ADDITION

Friday, August 29, 2014

The District court approves Nevs’ application for reorganization

The District court of Vänersborg, Sweden, today August 29 approved the application for reorganization from National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB. 

The District court has appointed Mr. Lars Eric Gustafsson, Attorney at Hamilton law firm in Stockholm, as administrator during the reorganization period.

REPORT HERE

Good news, SAAB starts production of the new NEVS SAAB 9-3 on Monday 2nd November

Saab's new owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), will begin series production of the 9-3 mid-sized sedan at the brand's Trollhattan assembly plant in Sweden on Monday, almost two years to the day since the company was forced to file for bankruptcy.
The last cars produced by the automaker rolled off the production line in April 2011, eight months before Saab, then under the control of Spyker NV, filed for bankruptcy on December 19.

''Yes, we will start the actual production on Monday,'' Mikael Oestlund, a spokesman for NEVS, told Automotive News Europe, adding that initial output would have a ''humble'' pace with the possibility to increase the volume over time.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden, which is owned by a Chinese renewable energy investor, bought Saab out of bankruptcy last August. The production start has been achieved after NEVS was able to reach an agreement with parts suppliers, Oestlund said.

Oestlund said the production car would be powered by a gasoline turbocharged engine and would resemble pre-series models built for testing in September. These in turn closely resembled the last production 9-3s built at Trollhattan in 2011.

Oestlund said an electric variant of the 9-3, initially aimed at the Chinese market, will begin production in 2014. This will likely feature a new face-lifted exterior.

In August, Oestlund told Automotive News Europe that the 9-3 will be sold in Europe and China initially with U.S. sales possible later.

Phoenix-based cars

NEVS has previously said it plans to build cars based on the Phoenix architecture developed by Saab before the automaker's bankruptcy, after first modifying it to remove the 20 percent of parts sourced from former Saab owner General Motors.

NEVS is owned by Hong Kong National Modern Energy Holdings, which is run by Swedish-Chinese green energy entrepreneur Kai Johan Jiang. NEVS is 22 percent owned by the Chinese city of Qingdao following a deal earlier this year.

IS THIS THE NEW 9-3 THAT WILL BE THE FACE LIFTED CAR ?

REPORT HERE

Great news, SAAB is back, test vehicles have been produced.

Saab's new owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), has built two Saab 9-3 test cars at the brand's Trollhattan assembly plant in Sweden ahead of a production launch later this year.

The vehicles, which left the production line on Wednesday, are the first Saabs to be built at the plant since it closed in April 2011 ahead of the automaker filing for bankruptcy eight months later.

NEVS say the cars are primarily intended to assist in calibrating production line systems and to test new components ahead of full production.

"Prior to our decision to start production of Saab cars, we need to finalize a few remaining dialogues to build partnerships with suppliers. We now know that the plant is ready for production," Mattias Bergman, acting president of NEVS, said in a statement on Wednesday.

NEVS plans to start output of the 9-3 powered by a gasoline turbocharged engine later this year. The model will be very similar to last Saab produced in 2011, Mikael Oestlund, a spokesman for NEVS, told Automotive News Europe.

An electric variant planned for production in 2014 will feature a new face-lifted exterior, Oestlund said.

Future Saab cars will not have the distinctive griffin head badge seen on previous Saabs after NEVS failed to acquire the rights to use the badge when it bought Saab out of bankruptcy last August.

Former owner Spyker, which bought Saab from General Motors, failed to revive the brand after trying unsuccessfully to arrange several deals with Chinese investors.

Phoenix architecture

NEVS has said previously it also plans to build cars based on the Phoenix architecture developed by Saab before the automaker went bankrupt. The platform will have to be modified to remove the 20 percent of parts sourced from GM.

The company plans to build 120,000 units of the 9-3 a year by 2016, according to a report by Bloomberg in January. That target would come close to the brand's 2006 peak of 133,000 autos.

NEVS says the 9-3 will be sold in Europe and China initially with U.S. sales possible later.

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