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, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 07:59:45
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...but there are some differences. As Chris said, all convertibles are made in Uusikaupunki. In addition to that, all the Viggens have been made there.
The factory was established in 1973 and it started simply as a local assembly plant for the Saabs sold in Finland. Back in those days Saab was the #1 selling car in Finland for several years (situation was almost the same in Sweden although I believe Volvo has always been ahead there).
Most of the models produced in Uusikaupunki in the 70s and early 80s were plain dull basic models. They had a few models which were not made in Sweden at all and were not exported outside the Scandinavia. The Saab 99, for example, was produced up to 1984. In the last years there was only a GL-trim version available with either 4 or 5 speed transmission. Engine was always 100hp 2.0 liter carburettor... This very same "powerplant" with carburettor and no pollution preventative devices at all was offered up to 1989. It was used in Saab 900 (no letters whatsoever) and in Saab 900C. The 900 model had manual everything, the old style bumpers and headlights and was the cheapest version of them all. Oh yes, power steering could be had as an option but that's about it. The 900C was a special model ordered by the Finnish distributor. It had conveniences such as central locking and power steering and the newer front lights and bumpers - all built around that ancient carburettor engine. The 900 and 900C were produced up to 1989.
Other than these "special" models the cars that came out from Uusikaupunki were very identical to the Trollhättan built ones. The materials are all the same. The body was put together and painted in Uusikaupunki so the quality of the rustproofing etc may differ from Trollhättan assembly plant. They had some serious problems in the late -70s and that is probably why the very last Saab 96's (they were produced up to 1980!) are prone to rusting. They improved the painting process during the 80s and the quality of the later cars has been proven to be very good.
There's another specialty: The Uusikaupunki plant was the only place where they produced the Saab 90 (from 1984 to 1987). It was a weird combo of a 99 front end (up to a-pillar) and 900 notchback rear end. As a bottom of the line model, it was available only with the carburettor engine and with manual everything. It has been sold around the Europe but in small numbers only.
Unfortunately for the Uusikaupunki plant, as of today they are assembling the last Saabs to be made there. The "classic" 9-3 5-door is still produced for the Scandinavian market and the 9-3 cabrio is still in production as well. As of May this year, the production of the new 9-3 cabrio will start at Steyer works in Austria and the 9-3 5-door will be discontinued. Saab has moved the production of the cabrio into Austria as a part of the deal where Saab sold a batch of the innotorious JAS fighter jets for the Austrian air force and Austrians required a business exchange.
The Uusikaupunki plant is no longer a joint between Saab and Valmet/Metso of Finland. Today the factory is joint owned by German ThyssenKrupp and Finnish Metso. They are currently producing most of the Porsche Boxsters sold worldwide.
Jouko from Finland
posted by 194.29.193...
, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 07:59:45
, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 09:02:59
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