The last engineering prototypes are leaving the once-famous factory in Trollhättan, marking the end of more than a decade-long attempt to revive the Swedish brand.
More than a decade after the Swedish carmaker's collapse, the last collection of eight development vehicles and prototypes is going up for auction. The cars, which were stored at the former factory in Trollhättan, were previously built under the auspices of NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden). The latter was founded in 2012 with the aim of reviving and transforming Saab's engineering heritage towards electrification and autonomous driving, but the company was later banned from using the Saab name due to legal restrictions.
Most of the auction items are based on the Saab 9-3, but among the most interesting examples are an autonomous test vehicle and a prototype with in-wheel electric motors, a technology that engineers have been exploring for future electric programs. The collection also includes a test vehicle with a hybrid range extender, several pre-production 9-3 sedans from the NEVS era, and the Hengchi 5 electric SUV, which is directly related to the automotive ambitions of former Chinese owner Evergrande. The vehicles are not preserved as pristine museum pieces, but bear visible traces of intensive testing.
The auction of these rare vehicles will take place between May 21 and 30 through the Swedish auction house Klaravik, with no starting or reserve price set for any of the lots on offer. Interested enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the historically significant factory in Trollhättan before the auction closes. The auction thus represents the final act for the plant, which opened its doors in 1947 and is now finally emptying after the financial collapse of Chinese investor Evergrande and mass layoffs in 2023.
