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.

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. 

Mikael Östlund
Director Communications and Public Affairs

Tel: +46 5208 5100
mikael.ostlund@saabcars.com
www.saabcars.com

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Production of Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan has started in Trollhättan

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB has started production of the Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan with a petrol engine. Sales are initially focused in China with a small number of vehicles being sold directly from Nevs to Swedish customers via the Nevs’ website.

The car that is produced is a high-spec Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan with a 220 hp 2.0-liter turbo, a previously recognized high-performance engine of the Saab cars.

“I am very proud of the dedication and the focus that Nevs management and employees have demonstrated over the year that has passed since we became owners of the plant in Trollhättan, and who have made ​​this possible. Swedish expertise along with Japanese technology around batteries and new lightweight materials and our Chinese group’s focus on green technology is our strength for the future”, said Kai Johan Jiang, Nevs founder and main owner.

“It is truly a complex mission to start a car production process which has been still for two and a half years. It is very pleasing that we have embarked on a journey where we want to and will make a difference with our partners and customers. Our electric car will be launched next year, and already today we can offer Saab cars with continued high, proven performance and quality”, said Nevs’ President Mattias Bergman.

Nevs’ customers will be offered a first class and engaging customer experience. They will also be offered the opportunity to come to the heart of the Saab car brand in Trollhättan to take delivery of their vehicles. While doing so, they will be invited to visit our highly efficient factory with experienced and competent workers and the Saab Car Museum where they can get a flavor of our brand and vehicles.

To ensure a solid ownership experience we intend to offer service and parts distribution in partnership with Orio AB (formerly known as Saab Automobile Parts AB).

In less than a year, the purchasing organization has built partnerships with the suppliers to the Saab 9-3. Nevs now has partnerships with all around 400 suppliers needed for the Sedan model. All in all the Nevs’ start of production engage around 2,400 companies globally through the suppliers.

“It's been an intense year committed to ensuring Nevs’ start of production. I see our established partnerships as a trustful beginning of the long term and strategic relationships we want to build together with our subcontractors”, said Nevs’ Purchasing Director Per Svantesson .

To ensure our high quality and the supply chain functions, the production rate will be very modest, about ten cars a week initially, and then gradually the pace will be increased to meet customers’ demand.

The electric car based on the Saab 9-3 will be launched in spring 2014, with China as the first market. Nevs’ partner and part owner Qingdao has initially placed an order for a pilot fleet of 200 electric cars with delivery starting in spring 2014.

Sales in Sweden, via Nevs’ website, will start on Tuesday, December 10. The price is 279 000 SEK with manual transmission and 289 000 with automatic transmission. Additional specifications purchase and delivery conditions are presented when the sale starts.

Over time we will develop our customer base to expand into more markets where we see potential for growth and profitability.

Nevs’ vision is to shape mobility for a more sustainable future. Our aim is to be a front runner in the automotive industry, with focus on electric vehicles, where China is our initial main market. The pace of change towards cars powered by fossil free fuels will increase and China currently has the most ambitious efforts for electrification of the vehicle fleet.

For more information about Nevs: http://saabcars.com/en/the-company/

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