Final Saab Prototypes Depart Trollhättan Plant

On May 30, 2026, the Trollhättan plant, once the heart of Saab Automobile, will open its doors for a final symbolic event. Klaravik, an auction house, will auction off the last vehicles still present on the site, thereby concluding a long historical period for this distinctive Swedish manufacturer.

Models Offered for Sale

Among the eight vehicles offered are several 2014 Saab 9-3 pre-production models. These models, although not initially intended for public sale, represent a direct link to Saab's final production phase. Additionally, several prototypes developed under the NEVS era, the company that acquired Saab after its 2012 bankruptcy, will also be available. These prototypes include autonomous vehicles, electric models with in-wheel motors, and cars with range extenders.

Saab: A Unique Industrial History

Founded as an aircraft manufacturer, Saab launched its first car in 1949. The brand quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive design and technical innovations, particularly in the field of turbo engines. Despite a loyal customer base, Saab experienced financial difficulties under General Motors' management, leading to bankruptcy in 2011.

The NEVS Era: An Unrealized Electric Future

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) acquired Saab with the ambition of transforming the brand's legacy towards electric vehicles. The prototypes to be auctioned demonstrate the technological advancements envisioned by NEVS, although these projects never fully materialized. The vehicles include a thermal range extender model and a Hengchi electric SUV, both symbolic of an unfinished future.

A Symbolic Auction

The auction, with no reserve price and starting at zero Swedish Kronor, marks the end of a long period of dismantling the Trollhättan site. This final act does not involve restored collector cars, but rather prototypes and engineering vehicles, symbols of a future that Saab never achieved.

Sources: https://www.automobile-magazine.fr/toute-l-actualite/article/51898-quinze-ans-apres-la-chute-de-saab-les-derniers-prototypes-quittent-enfin-lusine https://www.saabplanet.com/last-saab-9-3-nevs-trollhattan-auction/