Love your Saab? If you continue to stick with the brand following its 2012 sale to National Electric Vehicle Sweden, known as NEV, keep the words of Shakespeare in mind: “A rose by any other name….” The new Chinese owners won’t be reviving the Saab name, Automotive News reports.
The Swedish aerospace company that owns the Saab brand, declined to allow the use of the Saab name or logo to be used on future models.
Saab AB withdrew NEVS’ right to use the Saab name two years ago after NEVS sought protection from creditors. NEVS was never granted the use of the Saab AB’s iconic griffin badge and developed its own Saab logo.
“We have revoked their right to use the brand name” and there is no longer a discussion about NEVS using it, Saab AB spokesman Sebastian Carlsson told Automotive News Europe.
New Cars, New Factory in the Works
The good news is the Chinese company will sell electric 9-3s, built in a new factory in China that will be fully operational in 2020. They might not have Saab’s name, but will they stand up to its reputation? Only time, and future owners, will tell.