2007 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible on 2040-cars

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Vampire Weekend burns for Saab

Or is it the other way around?
Could Vampire Weekend be trying to tell me something? A just-launched music video for the indie rock band's new single Diane Young features what looks like a pretty mint black Saab 900 Turbo Convertible being torched in slow-motion. In fact, with the exception of a brief, flickering cameo by a 900 three-door of a similar vintage, that's all that there is to the nearly three-minute long video. It's both sad and oddly beautiful.
Coincidentally, I have a similar-looking turbocharged black Saab convertible sitting in my garage, and I've been reluctantly pondering its sale this very week. Admittedly, mine is a later model (2001 9-3 Viggen), but tri-spokes and more tapered rump aside, it looks eerily identical. And while mine isn't mired in flames (I love it too much to torch it), through no fault of its own, it's been sitting motionless far too regularly. Thankfully, I see a better future for it than the droptop seen above.

GM denies Spyker claims in $3B Saab lawsuit

Reuters reports General Motors has dismissed claims by Spyker outlined in a $3 billion lawsuit. Spyker alleged GM deliberately bankrupted Saab by preventing a deal with Chinese investor Zhejiang Youngman Lotus. GM, meanwhile, filed a response with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan saying that as the former owner of Saab, GM had the legal right to approve the deal with Youngman. But Spyker's lawsuit claimed GM's refusal to approve the deal with Youngman stemmed from the fact that the American automaker didn't want to create a competitor in China.
GM has said the issue stemmed more from the fact that it would stop licensing its technology to Saab or stop building vehicles for the manufacturer in the event it was bought by Youngman. Since Saab built its own platform that didn't use any GM tech, Spyker says that argument is meritless.
The lawsuit has Spyker seeking $3 billion in compensatory damages, though that number could swell with interest, punitive damages and legal fees, as well. Victor Muller, Spyker chief executive, has said the lawsuit is being funded by an anonymous third party. That party will share in any settlement. Youngman has refused to comment on whether or not it's footing the legal bill.

Saab signs deal to sell 20,000 electric cars in China

Another quarter, another gargantuan deal for National Electric Vehicle Sweden (Nevs), the Chinese-backed firm that bought the assets to Saab in 2012 and then spent two years getting out of financial trouble. The company just announced that it has agreed to a framework deal with China Volant Industry Co. (Volinco), a firm whose principal business is import and export of aerospace equipment and technologies. The tentative Volinco order is worth 8.5 billion Swedish crowns ($996 million US) for 20,000 electric cars that will be delivered between 2017 and 2020. A final purchase order is expected to be finalized later. In December, Nevs signed a deal worth $12 billion to provide 150,000 electric cars to Panda New Energy, a Chinese EV leasing company. That deal will also see Nevs provide 100,000 electric vehicle products and services to companies that Nevs works with. As with the Volinco deal, Nevs will build and paint components for its Saab 9-3 EV in Trollhattan, Sweden then ship the kits to China for final assembly. Given the number and size of its recent deals, it shouldn't be a surprise that Nevs is building a factory in Tianjin, China that will be ready in 2020. Volinco apparently plans to use the trove as company cars for employees. The final agreement will also include giving Nevs access to a range of the aerospace firm's suppliers to assist with its production plans. Nevs is also working with Dongfeng and Renesas Electronics to help develop its current and future cars. Featured Gallery 2014 Saab 9-3 News Source: Reuters Green Saab Green Automakers Electric Sedan NEVS national electric vehicle sweden