China’s Beijing Automotive Industry purchased the rights to several Saab platforms, engines, and gearboxes in late 2009. The sale gave the ailing Swedish brand a much-needed cash infusion that helped it stay afloat long enough to be taken over by Spyker.
At the time, the Chinese company promised that it would quickly use the technology to develop new vehicles, but it has yet to make good of its word.
A recent report from the Chinese press suggests that Beijing Automotive will present its new, Saab-based passenger car lineup at next April’s Beijing Motor Show.
Three vehicles are expected to make their debut on the brand’s stand at the show. The first is a large sedan based on the last generation of the 9-5 called the C70. The second is a smaller sedan dubbed the C60, based on the previous generation 9-3. The last one is a compact SUV that is also based on the old 9-3.
The 9-3-based models are likely to be powered by the 2.0 turbocharged four-cylinder engine that was included in the deal between Beijing and General Motors. The larger C70 will feature a 2.3 four-cylinder.
Beijing Automotive only owns the rights to the cars’ platforms, not to their exterior designs, but that doesn’t exclude the possibility that the cars will heavily borrow styling cues from their Swedish predecessors.
