Saab and AAM to develop electric and hybrid driveline systems
Saab Automobile and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) have announced the formation of a jointly owned company responsible for the engineering, development and marketing of innovative electric all-wheel-drive systems, as well as electric and hybrid driveline systems. The new company, called e-AAM Driveline Systems, will be based in Trollhättan. The joint venture will commence operations on the 1st of October.
e-AAM will develop and market an innovative electric all-wheel-drive system in a full service package. This system can be easily integrated into existing platforms, minimising vehicle architecture changes. Saab will become a client of e-AAM Driveline Systems, purchasing components to be used in next-generation Saab vehicles from 2012. The new company will also market its expertise and advanced products to other car manufacturers.
Announcing the formation of e-AAM Driveline Systems, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “For Saab, the announcement of this partnership is a major step towards a successful future as an independent company. Saab is currently class-leading with its innovative Cross Wheel Drive system (XWD). The new, electric, all-wheel-drive system will secure us a leadership position in our next generation Saabs. This joint venture will bring together Saab’s world-class vehicle engineering expertise and AAM’s extensive engineering, production and marketing capabilities – a powerful combination.”
Richard E. Dauch, CEO, Chairman and co-founder of American Axle Manufacturing, said: “AAM is pleased to be launching this exciting new business opportunity with Saab. e-AAM will leverage the outstanding competencies of both our companies in the development of state-of-the-art electric and hybrid driveline systems needed by global OEMs to improve the fuel efficiency, ride and handling performance and overall capability of their products. The new and innovative products to be engineered by e-AAM, as well as the new customers to be served by this joint venture, solidly support AAM's strategic initiative to expand and diversify our business.”