The former Saab site at the heart of an electric pickup project
In Trollhättan, the automotive industry is more than just an industry: it is an identity. For decades, Saab Automobile shaped this Swedish city by developing a unique engineering approach, blending aeronautical heritage, advanced safety, and atypical innovations.
An Industrial Symbol Refusing to Disappear
Saab's bankruptcy in 2011 could have marked the definitive end of this industrial adventure. However, more than a decade later, the Stallbacka site continues to pulsate. No longer as a traditional factory, but as a fragmented ecosystem where research, prototyping, and experimental projects coexist.
The latest? An electric pickup developed under the impetus of EV Electra, a company still little known to the general public but ambitious in its desire to establish itself in the electromobility market.
From Saab to Today: A Decade of Chaotic Transitions
The Fall of Saab: An Industrial Earthquake
When Saab ceased operations in 2011, an entire segment of the European automotive industry faltered. The Swedish brand, renowned for its iconic models like the 9-3 and 9-5, disappeared after years of financial difficulties.
But unlike other abandoned industrial sites, Trollhättan did not become a wasteland.
The NEVS Era: An Unfinished Renaissance
In 2012, National Electric Vehicle Sweden acquired Saab's assets with a clear ambition: to transform the existing internal combustion platform into an electric vehicle.
The project was promising but quickly hampered by several obstacles:
Loss of rights to use the Saab name
Difficulty in building a new brand identity
Increased competition in the electric vehicle market
Despite this, NEVS managed to partially restart operations and develop advanced prototypes.
Evergrande's Entry: The Illusion of a New Golden Age
In 2019, the Chinese giant Evergrande Group injected massive capital into NEVS. The objective: to accelerate technological development and position Trollhättan as an electric hub.
It was in this context that a spectacular project emerged: the NEVS Emily GT.
Emily GT: The Forgotten Technological Showcase
The NEVS Emily GT was not just a concept car. It embodied an ambitious vision of electric mobility:
175 kWh battery
Theoretical range of 1,000 km
800V architecture
Four in-wheel motors
This last innovation, stemming from Protean Electric technology, represents a major breakthrough.
"In-wheel" Motors: Promise and Complexity
In-wheel motors offer several advantages:
Elimination of conventional transmissions
Increased interior space
Better torque distribution
However, they also present significant challenges:
Increase in unsprung mass
Complexity of suspension tuning
Increased sensitivity to impacts
These constraints explain why this technology remains marginal in the industry.
EV Electra: A New Player with Global Ambitions
In 2023, EV Electra acquired NEVS' assets, marking a new turning point. Led by Jihad Mohammad, the company positions itself as a pioneer of electric cars in the Middle East.
An Atypical Strategy
Unlike traditional manufacturers, EV Electra adopts an original approach:
Using Trollhättan as a technological base
Targeting emerging markets
Initially avoiding European constraints
This strategy may seem counter-intuitive, but it addresses economic realities.
The Electric Pickup Project: Between Pragmatism and Opportunism
A Vehicle Designed for Specific Markets
The pickup developed in Trollhättan is not aimed at Europe, but primarily at Lebanon and the Middle East.
Why?
Less stringent homologation standards
Increased need for alternative energy solutions
Infrastructure adapted for robust utility vehicles
In a country like Lebanon, facing recurring energy crises, an electric vehicle capable of providing power (V2L/V2H) can become a strategic asset.
Production: Reality vs. Perception
Contrary to certain media formulations, this is not a large-scale industrial revival.
In reality:
Only a portion of the site is utilized
Production is limited
It is likely small-series assembly
This does not diminish the project's interest, but requires a clear-eyed perspective.
Technical Analysis of the Pickup: What Can Be Expected?
Even if official data is limited, certain characteristics can be estimated based on existing technologies.
Technical Hypotheses
Battery: 80 to 100 kWh
Range: 400 to 500 km
Power: 250 to 300 kW
Drivetrain: 2 or 4 motors
Industrial Inspiration: The Case of Extreme Utility Vehicles
Vehicles like the JMV TerraCharge illustrate a robust approach to electric power:
Reinforced chassis
Permanent all-wheel drive
High load capacity
Advanced safety systems
This type of architecture could inspire EV Electra's pickup, especially for challenging markets.
Why Europe is Excluded (For Now)
Homologation Constraints
Europe imposes strict standards:
Euro NCAP crash tests
Cybersecurity
Electromagnetic compatibility
These requirements imply:
High costs
Long lead times
Significant production volumes
For a startup, this is a major obstacle.
Lack of Commercial Infrastructure
EV Electra does not have:
A distribution network
After-sales service
Spare parts logistics
Without these elements, it is impossible to sell in Europe.
A Still Fragile Economic Model
Financial Challenges
Unlike Evergrande, EV Electra does not have unlimited resources.
The stakes are numerous:
Financing production
Maintaining R&D
Attracting investors
The risk of the project stopping prematurely is real.
A Two-Phase Strategy
The company likely aims to:
Validate the technology in accessible markets
Gradually scale up
Consider Europe in the long term
Trollhättan Today: A Fragmented Ecosystem
The historical site is no longer a single entity.
It is now shared among several actors:
Polestar (R&D)
Technology startups
Prototyping activities
This fragmentation reflects a profound transformation of the automotive industry.
The Saab Legacy: Myth or Reality?
What Remains
Exceptional human expertise
A unique engineering culture
Former engineers still active
What Has Disappeared
The Saab brand
Mass production
Commercial identity
EV Electra's pickup is not a Saab. But it is, in part, the fruit of its legacy.
A Clear-Eyed Reading for Enthusiasts
For Saab enthusiasts, it is essential to adopt a balanced approach:
Avoiding excessive nostalgia
Recognizing technical advancements
Remaining critical of announcements
The current project should be seen as technological continuity, not as a rebirth.
Perspectives: A Future Still Uncertain
Several scenarios are possible:
Optimistic Scenario
Stabilized production
Expansion into other markets
Gradual return to Europe
Realistic Scenario
Limited production
Niche markets
Slow growth
Pessimistic Scenario
Financial difficulties
Project termination
New interruption in Trollhättan
A Weak Signal, Yet Hopeful
The electric pickup project in Trollhättan is not an industrial revolution. But it represents something more subtle: a testament to resilience.
In a world where the automotive industry is transforming rapidly, seeing a site like Saab's continue to produce, experiment, and innovate is already a victory.
It is not the rebirth of Saab.
It is not yet a commercial success.
But it is a sign that the story of Trollhättan is not over.
Sources :
https://www.mining-jakob.de/jmv-terra-charge/
https://www.automobile-propre.com/breves/lusine-saab-va-produire-un-pick-up-electrique-mais-vous-ne-pourrez-pas-lacheter/
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