Saab: Giving Car Manufacturing Machinery a Second Life
Around the world, industries are increasingly embracing sustainability, adopting technologies that align with environmental goals.
Car manufacturers in particular are navigating strict regulations aimed at phasing out vehicles reliant on internal combustion engines.
This trend is evident from Norway to Thailand, where support is growing for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Car manufacturers must, therefore, pivot their operations accordingly. Saab is one of these manufacturers.
The Saab factory in Trollhättan, Sweden, shut down in 2023, marking the end of an era in Swedish automotive manufacturing.
Joachim Ågren, Country Manager for Sweden at Surplex: “It’s difficult not to get nostalgic and shed a tear. These presses have shaped Saabs that millions of Swedes have grown up with.”
Giving equipment a second life
What’s next for the machinery left behind at Saab’s plant?
Industrial auction house Surplex is managing the liquidation of these assets, ensuring they find new life in other settings.
"It’s astonishing to see the condition these machines are still in," Joachim said.
The factory's oldest press, dating back to 1967, has been fully modernised and remains capable of meeting today's industrial requirements.
"Most of these machines can be repurposed for different industries. The possibilities are only limited by imagination," he adds.
These pressing machines, crucial in moulding various car parts, are ready for a second chapter in different industrial landscapes.
The history of Saab’s Trollhättan factory
The Trollhättan factory has been a cornerstone of automotive production since 1947, creating 14 main models of Saab cars and several special editions.
Peter Bäckström, Curator at the Saab Car Museum, says: “These machines shaped everything from the Saab 96 and 99 to the last 9-5.”
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) took over the facility in 2011, producing the old Saab models alongside new electric vehicles.
Despite efforts, the plant couldn’t effectively support substantial production scales for electric vehicles and was eventually closed in 2023.
What's on the horizon for Saab?
Transitioning from its automotive legacy, Saab now operates purely as a defence and security company, returning to its foundational mission of 'safeguarding Sweden’s freedom'.
"Saab’s mission from the very beginning has been to keep people and society safe. The expectations from our customers and society have never been greater than they are now," says Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman at Saab.
This new phase involves embracing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomy.
Micael Johansson, President and CEO at Saab, says: "The emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI and autonomy is set to be a gamechanger for our industry and reshape defence and security applications in the future.
"As we look ahead, we are investing in upskilling through our learning platform and putting efforts into both onboarding and our people experience.
"All our efforts within sustainability, innovation and people will be key to our long term success and value creation."
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