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A Glimmer of Hope in Trollhättan
After weeks of grim news from Trollhättan, there is finally a spark of hope for NEVS and the future of the Emily GT. In a surprising turn of events, NEVS CEO Nina Selander revealed that discussions with a potential buyer for the Emily GT and PONS projects are underway. This announcement comes just days after the company issued layoff notices to its remaining 20 employees, marking what seemed like the end of NEVS’ electric vehicle ambitions.
Selander, speaking to Swedish radio P4, stated that while the situation remains precarious, there is a strong possibility of finalizing a deal within the first half of 2025. This development provides a much-needed boost to NEVS, which has been teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
The Road to Layoffs – How NEVS Got Here
NEVS’ struggles are deeply rooted in the financial instability of its parent company, Evergrande Group. The Chinese real estate giant, facing its own financial woes, directed NEVS to implement severe cost-cutting measures throughout 2023 and 2024. By February 2023, NEVS entered hibernation mode, laying off most of its workforce and liquidating parts of the former Saab factory in Trollhättan.
Despite these measures, NEVS continued to bleed cash. The failure to secure buyers for the Emily GT and PONS electric vehicle projects further exacerbated the company’s liquidity crisis. By December 2024, the situation reached a tipping point, with Selander announcing the dismissal of all remaining employees, including herself
New Buyer on the Horizon!
In her latest interview, Selander remained cautiously optimistic. She confirmed that discussions are ongoing with a confidential buyer interested in acquiring the Emily GT and PONS platforms. Although details remain scarce, Selander hinted that the buyer recognizes the significance of Trollhättan’s legacy and understands the value of keeping operations in Sweden.
Selander revealed that NEVS is “85 cm down a one-meter path,” suggesting that the negotiations are close to completion but require careful navigation in the final stages. She emphasized that while the company faces immense challenges, there is still hope for a positive outcome.
The Fallout from EV Electra’s Failed Deal
This isn’t NEVS’ first attempt to sell the Emily GT. In 2023, the company reached an agreement with Lebanese electric vehicle startup EV Electra. However, the deal collapsed after EV Electra failed to fulfill its contractual obligations. This setback forced NEVS to reconsider its options and reopen discussions with other potential buyers.
Reflecting on the failed EV Electra deal, Selander acknowledged the disappointment but maintained that the Emily GT remains an attractive and competitive product. She expressed confidence that the unique wheel-motor technology and advanced design of the Emily GT would eventually attract the right investor.
What’s Next for NEVS and the Trollhättan Factory?
As the sale negotiations progress, the future of the Trollhättan factory hangs in the balance. NEVS has already begun dismantling and selling off industrial equipment from the facility, a process overseen by the industrial liquidation firm Surplex. Hydraulic presses and stamping tools that once shaped Saab models are now finding new homes across the globe.
However, Selander remains committed to preserving what she can. She emphasized that until a final decision is made, the Emily GT and PONS projects will remain in Trollhättan. NEVS will continue discussions with trade unions and Evergrande to explore pathways for safeguarding employees and securing the company’s intellectual property.
A Legacy Worth Saving
For Saab enthusiasts, the Emily GT represents more than just a potential business deal—it symbolizes the enduring spirit of Saab’s innovation. The Trollhättan plant, despite its gradual dismantling, stands as a testament to decades of Swedish engineering excellence.
Selander’s refusal to give up on the Emily GT reflects the resilience of NEVS and the community that has long supported it. As negotiations continue, many are hopeful that this chapter will conclude not with the closure of a factory, but with the birth of a new era for Swedish electric vehicles.
Press tools are on their way out of the factory. It will be interesting to see how the new owner intends to produce the car.
The Emely GT prototypes are manufactured in the smaller prototype factory, located in Stallbacka.
I know that the Emely GT is intended to be produced in small series, and at a fairly high price.
Nothing will be produced. Success will be if Emily gets to the Saab museum and doesn’t end up in a car press.
There is an interested party. You can guess and believe how it will turn out. But you don’t know how it will turn out until it’s done.
We all so want a shred of Saab DNA to survive…
Seems remote.
This Emilly concept does look a bit like a Saab but it would be entering a very competitive market. I personally like the Polestar which seems to have a bit of Scandinavian design language going on….
Yep. The polestar 2 is kind of Saabish. Lots of similarities to the Saab Phoenix
Saab è morta e sepolta. Io ne ho 2 in garage, presto diventeranno 3. La sua filosofia costruttiva NON ESISTE PIÙ. Ciao Saab : mi manchi tanto . Non comprate una gm… MAI
So tired of holding hope, while Chinese interests run the remains of Saab, into the ground!
Swedish government should have got involved decades ago. The Nordic countries lost all their domestic auto and most of their truck companies. Personally, I don’t think EU membership is all that it is cracked up to be…and neither does Sweden given that they don’t use the Euro
This news is a great holiday gift.
I dont believe it before I see it.
Last time they was selebrating, they was dealing with a scamming bastard, and already right after the release of the news about the contract, amature reporters found details about that scammer by easy googeling.
They found details that they easy could predict where that would going to end.
The fact that NEVS did not do those small safety checks before they made that contract is unbelievable.
If they did, they should not waste the time by waitng for EV Electra to show it’s real face and ending up canseling that contract.
They could already then been locking for a serious partner.
Leave EV concept.
Develop alternate existing SAAB engines to hydrogen fuel.
Use them engines instead.
For Emily bodywork/frame use waste shredded wings from electric windmills.
Remould car bodyparts will be cheaper recycled materials.
Start production again.
Force industries to extract hydrogen from waste water and start selling that car.
Nothing is impossible, really.
No more NEVS IN TOLLHATTAN