Saab and American Axle to develop AWD electric systems
By Andrew, 27 Sep, 2010. 0 Comments
Saab 9-3 ePower
A company jointly owned by Saab Automobile and American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. has been created for the engineering, development and marketing of electric all-wheel-drive systems and electric and hybrid driveline systems. To be based in Trollhattan, Sweden, this new company has been named e-AAM Driveline Systems and it will start operating on Oct. 1. It is believed that American Axle will maintain majority control of the venture; however, further financial details have yet to be revealed.
In a news release, Saab said that the company’s electric awd system can be integrated into existing platforms, minimizing vehicle architecture changes. In a statement, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson said that Saab considers the announcement of this partnership as a “major step” to achieving success in the future as an independent company.
He said that the new electric all-wheel-drive system will secure a leadership position in its next generation Saabs. He added that the joint venture will benefit from Saab’s “world-class vehicle engineering expertise” and AAM’s “extensive engineering, production and marketing capabilities.” Saab, which will be a client of e-AAM Driveline Systems, will buy components for next-generation Saab vehicles starting in 2012.
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