[shreyaskr]

Saab rebranded as NEVS as the current owner lost trademark rights

The announcement officially ends the Swedish brand's run in the market after facing bankruptcy in 2011. The long battle to restore Saab as an automaker is over, with the owner of the assets of the former Swedish automaker, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, confirming today that its future cars will be sold under the new brand NEVS.

The Saab brand, however, is controlled by the Saab Group, a military equipment supplier, and truck maker Scania. NEVS long-term business goal has China as its first priority, with the company intending to build a strong footprint in the country as a base for expansion. In fact, not even Saab's newer "Griffin-less" badge (pictured, below) will adorn its new models, as the new owner reveals it has lost the rights to the "Saab" name.

source: TheVillagesSuntimes http://thevillagessuntimes.com/2016/...ost-trademark/

[GTO]

Why would a relative newbie buy a car company, but not the brand? Anyone can build a car factory, even Premier Auto & Force Motors. Only a handful can build a recognisable brand. Definitely NEVS' loss, but guess it was a poorly negotiated & handled deal.

Reminds me of the time that VW thought they bought Rolls Royce, but actually didn't Undoubtedly the most epic blunder of the 90s. Idiots.

Volkswagen had paid $780 million for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, known for its Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars, glowing with hand-tooled leather and walnut, beloved by rock stars, royalty and the rich. But when the deal was announced in May, one key element was absent: Vickers did not own the rights to the Rolls-Royce name. That license belonged to another company, Rolls-Royce P.L.C., an aerospace concern with close ties to BMW and a marked preference for BMW to become the custodian of Britain's most prestigious automotive brand.

''Someone clearly made a big mistake,'' said Hartmuth Hoen, an analyst an Enskilda Securities in London. ''It's obviously a big mess.''

Source & Full Article

[SmartCat]

Somewhat similar story. Saab (maker of aircrafts) owns the Saab brand name and won't allow a Chinese company to use it on cars they make.

http://jalopnik.com/reborn-chinese-s...aab-1756233357

[ajmat]

The deal is pretty pointless considering

1: The last lot of Saab 9.3's were based on a lacklustre outmoded GM platform

2: The final 9.5 would have initially pulled Saab into survival mode but GM were scared that their outdated technology would be stolen by the Chinese. On the other hand, Ford have done not too badly in supporting Volvo through the Geely transition

3: Why buy a factory in Sweden - you are not getting anything - technology - old GM stuff, efficiency - Swedish labour is costly and more craftsman oriented

4: The Saab 9.5 design was sold to BAIC who build is as the Senova D series

5: If BYD makes electric buses, what does NEVS have to offer