Saab Factory – Trollhättan, Sweden

Posted on 15. Jun, 2007 by in 1950-1959, 1960-1969, 1970-1979, 1980-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009, 900, 9000, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97 (Sonett II & III), 99, Sweden, Trollhättan, Sweden

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Photo Credit: Saab History

The Saab Factory in Trollhättan, Sweden began production in December of December of 1949 of the SAAB 92. At that time, the factory still exhibited it’s aircraft heritage with an air traffic control tower and wind sock elements that were built back in 1937 when they were manufacturing airplanes. From 1947 until 1949, SAAB built automobiles such as the 92001 prototype (URSAAB) and the SAAB 92 in Linköping, Sweden.

At the time of completion of the SAAB factory in 1949, the space available for automobile production covered approximately 190,000 square feet (17,700 sq. meters).factory_1950.jpg This space consisted of the press, body and assembly, engine & transmission construction, upholstery and paint shops and lastly final assembly and adjustment areas. The SAABs built per day at the time were three to four which resulted in 1,246 SAAB 92 cars built in the first year, model year 1950.

In the 10 years of airplane production and 57 years of automobile production that have taken place at the SAAB factory in Trollhättan, the classic Saab 900 that began production in 1979 and ended in 1993 and 1994 with the convertible still remains the leader in units producted with nearly 1 million (908, 810)

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Today, the Saab Automobile factory has increased dramatically over the years to include a number of enhancements, additions and expansions to the press, body assembly and most recently the paint shop in 2000. The inventory system the factory uses today is referred to as “Just In Time” or JIT where all materials and supplies are made available only for what is being produced at the present time, therefore there will be no overstock or wasted materials.

It is also worth mentioning that all vehicles produced in the Saab Automobile factory in Trollhättan, Sweden are all built on specific demand from Saab Automobile dealerships worldwide.

The Saab Automobile cars that are produced at the factory today include the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab 9-3 SportCombi, Saab 9-5 Sedan and the Saab 9-5 SportCombi.

At the recent Saab Festival celebrating 60 years of an automobile manufacturer (3 years in Linköping, and 57 in Trollhättan), I had along with many, the opportunity to tour the factory. Factory tours are available year-round with advanced notice. While there are no opportunities for photos nor videos to be taken during the tours, I have been able to provide you some of the most recent footage of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan being manufactured in the factory from the first model year, 2003.

Sources:

* Saab Automobile AB
* Sjogren, Gunnar A. The SAAB Way, the first 35 years of Saab cars, 1949-1984 Nyköping, Sweden Österbergs Tryckeri AB, 1984.

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12 Responses to “Saab Factory – Trollhättan, Sweden”

  1. Jeffrey Maidlow

    05. Nov, 2007

    I am an owner of a 2007 Saab 97x. My wife and I have owned (2) Saab 95′s and (1) Saab 93. We love our Saab automobiles. I am looking for a delux Saab wall calendar for 2008. Would you send me a order blank and or a catalog of a Swedish calendar? I would proudly display the calender in my office. I will be happy to pay for the calendar and all shipping and handling costs. I would also love to have a photo suitable for framing of the early Saab cars such as the 92, 93 & 95 wagon. Any help is greatly appreciated. My local Saab dealer in Fishers, Indiana is great but not much help in locating such materials. Respectfully, Jeffrey Maidlow – Anderson, Indiana USA.

    Reply to this comment

  2. Saab History

    26. May, 2008

    Jeffrey,

    I am not sure where and if one exists!

    Reply to this comment

  3. s.

    18. Jun, 2008

    can’t believe it is you!

    Reply to this comment

  4. Ryan

    18. Jun, 2008

    S. Lovejoy,

    Hello. When you say “I can’t believe it is you”, who are you referring to exactly?

    Let me know what I can do to help.

    Best,

    Ryan

    Reply to this comment

  5. christos andreou

    12. May, 2009

    saab for ever

    Reply to this comment

  6. Paul

    02. Feb, 2010

    We just purchased a used 2007 97-x and would very much like to obtain a copy of the original window sticker – I believe the vehicle is one of the limited-production Altitude edition. Seems that Saab can only provide a reprint for the two most recent model years but I remain hopeful…!

    Reply to this comment

  7. Obinna Anusim

    03. Sep, 2010

    SAAB Automobiles are really great! I never knew they were manufactured in sweden. Wonderful….

    Reply to this comment

  8. michael Clark

    08. Sep, 2010

    We do not need negative financial news with the restart of SAAB. This quality car needs all the help it can get now but will thrive in the future.

    Reply to this comment

  9. Harry J. Sloots

    28. Dec, 2010

    I have a 2002 9-5 arc turbo V-6 Saab, km 116.000: lovely car. One problem; starting. Most times the car starts 2 or 3 cranks. To often however. I crank 2x or 3×10-20 times. before it starts, if at all. Once I drained the battery and needed a tow. The Saab dealer could not find the problem. Replaced the crank sensor; made no difference. Fuel supply OK. Had fairly recent tune-up. Sometimes the battery light stays on un till I rev. the engine somewhat. I AM FRUSTRATED: HELP!!!.

    Reply to this comment

  10. Willy Hoh

    31. Jan, 2011

    I own a Saab 9000 CDE (1996 model). On the whole, I am satisfied with the car’s performance and handling despite its age. However, the only thing that I am not happy about is the headlamps. The throw of light from the headlamps is just too low and illumination for night driving is bad.

    I have tried here in Malaysia to get these lights replaced but I nobody has stocks of new lamps. Workshops here also told me they cannot do anything to make the headlights brighter.

    I am just wondering if you have any new headlamps in stock and if so what cost do I have to pay for a new pair?

    Would appreciate your reply even if you do not have stock of this item.

    Thank you.

    Willy Hoh

    Reply to this comment

  11. JUDY

    19. Jun, 2011

    I am seeking an owners manual for a Saab 2001 9-5 Aero. We are trying to replace the motor and need help with the timing. We have tried so many different ways and keep hitting a dead end.. I would appreciate your help in any way. My e-mail address is as shown.

    The Saab I purchased new. From day one it always had the malfunction light on and never found the real problem. But there was always a fix for something else. We were told by the owner of our local dealership who owned the Saab station wagon we did not need to run premium gas and could use regular for around town, but if we took a road trip then use premium.

    Shortly after the engine blew!!!!!! Now we need to do our own repairs. Please if you could help us with this problem again it would be greatly appreciated. Judy Nech.

    Reply to this comment

  12. Name (required)

    09. Aug, 2011

    Dear Sirs,

    I need your help.

    In May 2001, I took delivery of my brand new Saab Aero Convertible chassis no: YS3DH78K217015318.

    I would be extremely grateful, if someone could come back to me with the code for my Radio Cassette chassis no: YS3DH78K217015318 and it appears to be a Clarion PU-1525B.

    Should you need further information about this, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

    Kind regards

    Ron

    Reply to this comment

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