Electric Saab 9-3 Lives On As Turkey's 'National Car'

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

The Turkish Science, Industry and Technology ministry announced last week that it had purchased the intellectual property rights — but not naming rights — to the second-generation Saab 9-3 that was most recently produced by National Electric Vehicle Sweden, according to Digital Trends.

According to the ministry, the car will be produced with 85 percent of its materials coming from the country, and will sport a face from the defunct Cadillac BLS.

The Swedish car company, who owns most of the shuttered Saab, sold the rights to the Turkish government after it stopped producing the all-electric Saab in 2014. The new car will be powered initially by some engine, according to the report, with the ministry working with NEVS to make an electric powertrain.

According to the report, Turkey bought the intellectual rights for a “very affordable cost.”

The car will reportedly be available in Turkey around 2020. General Motors ceased production of the Cadillac BLS in 2009 due to poor sales.

When we last heard from NEVS, the company had gained another Chinese automaker to bail out fund the company’s development in China. Dongfeng announced last month that it would produce the 13-year-old car in China. In return, NEVS will supply Dongfeng with engineering standards to help it meet safety standards in Europe and North America.

Saab’s (or its direct successor’s) record in the 21st century isn’t great.

(Photo courtesy Anadolu Agency)


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • Anonymous Anonymous on Oct 19, 2015

    The "Turkish Science, Industry and Technology ministry" sounds like something taken from a Southpark episode. As does the pictured automobiles.

  • Madanthony Madanthony on Oct 19, 2015

    So it's a Turkey Swedish meatball with a side of rice?

    • RHD RHD on Oct 20, 2015

      Just what they will need to go cruising down to the Desert Drive-In for a Camelburger and a shake.

  • TonyJZX TonyJZX on Oct 20, 2015

    I dont see this as anywhere near as bad as you guys. Turkey is a not a car building nation. Like any govt. I bet they use thousands of cars for official use. Why not sponsor an electric car to be built by local labor for govt. use? It doesnt have to be a $85k Tesla. A 10yr old GM Saab is probably ok. If all these govt. cars are converted to electric and even if it is powered by coal stations its still better than spending money on imported gasoline cars.

  • Seth1065 Seth1065 on Oct 20, 2015

    Saab , God bless them they are the Zombie car company, it would be nice to give them a fine funeral but it seem fate will not allow it.

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