Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Beijing in Saab technology deal
China's Beijing Automotive (BAIC) has agreed to buy some assets from General Motor's Swedish business, Saab.
The Chinese firm is buying the intellectual property for two of Saab's models, as well as some car parts, to use in their own-branded vehicles.
The entire Saab brand is still up for sale by General Motors. Dutch carmaker Spyker is in talks over a deal.
BAIC had previously been part of Swedish firm Koenigsegg's failed takeover bid for the whole of Saab.
However, that bid was called off earlier this year.
'Good relationship'
No details about the cost of Monday's deal were given, but Beijing Autos said it was "an important milestone in BAIC's cooperation with Saab".
John Zeng, an analyst with IHS Global Insight, said: "BAIC is one of the few major Chinese auto groups that still does not have its own car brand.
"Even though the Saab platform is old, it's still important for BAIC as it can finally get hold of something it can use later on for its own cars," he added.
Ake Jonsson, managing director of Saab, said the deal was "excellent for both parties, now and for the future".
"We have developed a good relationship with BAIC and look forward to working with them to integrate this Saab technology into their future vehicles," he added.
Analysts say there is still a chance that BAIC could bid for all of Saab on its own.
GM has warned that it will drop the Saab brand completely if it fails to find a suitable buyer.
DATED: 15.12.09
FEED: AW
Daimler secures jobs for a decade at German plant
Workers at Daimler's biggest car factory in Germany have struck a deal with managers that secures their jobs for 10 years, a guarantee that has brought to an end a dispute over moving production to the United States.
All 37,000 employees at the Sindelfingen plant, which makes Mercedes-Benz cars, will not face any forced redundancies until the end of 2019.
DATED: 15.12.09
FEED: AW
Electric cars are put to the test
The first stage of a government-supported electric car trial has started in the West Midlands.
A total of 340 vehicles will be tested across the UK, 110 of those will be based in Birmingham and Coventry.
The aim of the project is to find out how the cars are used, and when they need charging, to get a better idea of how practical electric cars would be.
An initial 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEV cars have been given out to test drivers in the region.
The remaining ones will be given to drivers, who were specially selected for the trials by Coventry University researchers, throughout next year.
'Seismic shift'
The trial, which is the first of several to take place nationally, is being run by the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators (Cabled) consortium.
Aston University in Birmingham will monitor how they are used and what kind of infrastructure, including charging points, might be needed to accommodate widespread use.
Forty electric Minis are also being given out to volunteers taking part in the trial in Oxford.
One of the first test drivers in the West Midlands is motoring expert and former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson.
He said the project was the start of a "seismic shift in the sort of cars we drive and how we power them".
Cars made by other manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes Benz/Smart and Tata, will also be tested in the nationwide trials.
DATED: 15.12.09
FEED: AW
Monday, December 14, 2009
GM sells key Saab assets to Beijing Auto
General Motors Co. has sold key assets of its Saab brand to Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. Saab and BAIC announced a deal today that gives the Chinese automaker the rights to the current 9-3 and 9-5 models as well as Saab's powertrain technology and tooling. Tooling for the 9-5 will be moved to China. Saab will help BAIC integrate its technology into future BAIC vehicles. "This arrangement is excellent for both parties, now and for the future. We have developed a good relationship with BAIC and look forward to working with them to integrate this Saab technology into their future vehicles," Saab Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson said in a statement.
DATED: 14.12.09
FEED: ANE
