The Chinese state giant truck Dongfeng are interested in Saab’s old Phoenix architecture developed further by Nevs.
Nevs and Dongfeng Motor have signed a ‘strategic cooperation agreement in order to reach” common global industrial synergies “. The very different majors promise to support each other including the use of each other’s networks in purchasing and distribution. The agreement contains nothing about financial support to Nevs.
Behind the rather general wording of the agreement is a common interest of the Phoenix architecture, Saab started work for more than five years ago. It was presented as basically completed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011, but the truth is that there is still much development work before you can start building the cars from it.
– We’ve been working with them since we bought Saab and including adapted it for electric power, says Mikael Östlund.
The idea is that Dongfeng should pay Nevs to engineers in Trollhättan will now make clear the Phoenix architecture. Then both companies access to technology.
Since the beginning of July, the two companies have gone through different ways of using the Phoenix architecture of Dongfeng products . Nevs have been paid for that work. How much, and how extensive the assignment is, do not want to tell Mikael Östlund.
Dongfeng has been at the side of the trucks manufacture of both passenger cars electric vehicles with great development potential.
Dongfeng has strategic partnerships with international vehicle manufacturers such as Volvo, owns 14 percent stake in PSA, and has joint venture in China with Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Nissan, Infinity, Honda and Kia.
The question is what to be with Nevs to?
– This is about the IP (Intellectual Properties). Most car companies do not want to share their technical expertise. But we want. It’s part of our business plan. Phoenix architecture can be deployed to build both cars with a combustion engine and electric cars. But there is still no written agreement on this, says Mikael Östlund, head of communications at Nevs.
Dongfeng takes some time there from Saab spun-off T Engineering with 40 employees in Trollhättan.
Nevs immediate plans are to start construction of a production plant in China Money from the Chinese shareholders, Tianjin City (where the factory is to be built) and the two IT companies SRIT and Teamsun.
– There must happen soon, and take good few years to get ready. Meanwhile, we will develop the cars that will be manufactured there. We also have R & D in China, but everything will be led from Trollhattan, says Mikael Östlund.
It all depends therefore on whether the can get money to make clear the Phoenix architecture. Otherwise, the 17-year-old 9-3, electrified or with internal combustion engine, the only car model Nevs have rights to.
Plans Trollhattan factory is still unclear.
Dongfeng had in 2014 a total of 176 000 full-time employees and produced 3.83 million vehicles. Turnover was 483 million RNB, about as many crowns.
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