Saab Automobile Parts AB launched in USA

Saab the car manufacturer may be defunct, but the parts operation in existence since the 1960s soldiers on.

The company, which last month orchestrated the sale of the final batch of RHD 9-3 Convertibles in Britain, has now established a parts distribution network for the USA and Canada. Named North America Distribution Services Inc., the company is a subsidiary of Saab Automobile Parts AB, which has been insulated from the bankruptcy proceedings that laid low the car-making firm. The North American parts distribution company, which is set to commence operating this month, is incorporated in every state of the US, but will run out of headquarters in Michigan.

"Today there are around half a million Saab cars on the roads in North America - the largest fleet of Saabs in one single market in the world. Our establishment in North America will secure support to Saab owners in the USA and Canada and ensure they have access to Saab Genuine Parts, service programs and technical support", says Lennart Ståhl, CEO of Saab Automobile Parts AB, as quoted in a press release.

In Sweden, Saab Automobile Parts AB, which supplies genuine factory parts for Saab cars to 1200 workshops around the world, is cranking up low-scale production of body parts at the car-making firm's factory in Trollhattan. Furthermore, the parts operation has entered into new contracts with key suppliers to ensure the on-going production of genuine parts for Saabs already on the road.

What this means in the longer term remains to be seen. Could Saab Automobile Parts be to the moribund car-building brand what British Motor Heritage is to British Leyland? It seems like the parts operation is already some way along that track.

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