Currently reading: New Saab 9-3 production starts - latest pictures

NEVS-backed car resumes production in Sweden; petrol variants to be replaced with all-electric model in 2014

The Saab 9-3 has restarted series production at the firm's Trollhättan plant in Sweden.

According to media reports, Saab owners National Electric Vehicle Sweden has said output at the facotry will resume at a "humble" pace, with the option to increase capacity over time. 

The move comes following the successful production of two 9-3 prototype saloons back in September. The first cars to be created at the site since the production line was closed in 2011, the two saloons were intended to show that NEVS had re-built the Saab supplier chain necessary to produce new cars.

Although for the moment any 9-3s produced at the site will use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine used in the pre-collapse cars, NEVS will switch production to an all-electic variant from next year. The new car will initially be aimed at the Chinese market, with the first batch of cars already pre-sold to government agencies in the country.

Current plans suggest the company will launch the new 9-3 for Europe at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015.

The new 9-3 cars will still be badged as Saab, as part of the agreement reached when NEVS took over the company. NEVS is forbidden from using the Griffin badge, however, and cannot rename itself to Saab at any point.

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