New Saab 9-5. Old Saab 9-5. China bound!

BAIC are planning to produce the old Saab 9-5 in China

It would seem that there is a use for it – not just scrap value. BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation), which recently acquired a small stake in Saab and where there are high hopes of some good Saab sales in China, wants to buy up the old 9-5 tooling. And move it lock, stock and barrel to Beijing.

Which is actually familiar territory for the Chinese. SAIC did exactly the same thing when they bought up the assets of Rover. A cheap way to launch a new car in China. All it takes is a news set of badges and away you go. And those huge cost savings would make the old 9-5 a very viable entry-level option for Chinese buyers who can’t afford a nice, shiny 2010 9-5.

There is also the option for BAIC of buying up the recently closed factory which produced the old Saab slant-four engine. BAIC could buy that up and ship it out to China. A complete DIY car makers set at a knock down price.

Not always inscrutable , these Chinese. Sometimes entirely transparent and logical.

By Cars UK