Production
Saab Factory – Trollhättan, Sweden
June 15th, 2007, 2:10pm by Ryan - 6 Comments
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).
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)
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.
Categories: 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
6 Comments
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.
can’t believe it is you!
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
saab for ever
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…!
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