It’s been nearly two months since my last visit to NEVS, but in the past week alone, I’ve visited them twice to get an up-to-date look inside the walls of the once-mighty Saab successor. What’s happening right now isn’t just a sales process—it’s a story of persistence, pride, and quiet transformation.
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Negotiations Still Ongoing, Silence Still Loud
When asked about the sales status of the Emily GT and autonomous taxi project PONS, CEO Nina Selander remains carefully reserved. Past experiences have taught her that even brief public remarks can be blown out of proportion by the media. But behind that caution is a simple truth: negotiations are still ongoing.
From Thousands to a Handful: A Stark Contrast
In December 2024, NEVS announced that the last remaining employees, including Selander herself, would be given a termination notice, with a notice period of 6 to 12 months. From Saab’s peak of 10,000 employees, today NEVS is down to just five people. These few are now entirely focused on selling the Emily and PONS projects.
Yet those who have been laid off haven’t exactly left the premises. And that’s where this story takes a hopeful turn.
From Empty Halls to a Reviving Community
During my previous visit, the NEVS facilities in Stallbacka were largely deserted. Now, the atmosphere has changed significantly. There’s movement again—not just from within NEVS, but from those who refuse to let this historic site fade into irrelevance.
The goal is clear: bring life back to Stallbacka, retain technical talent, and create a fertile ground for innovation and continuity.
New Companies, Familiar Faces
NEVS is now leasing out its premises to other companies via Community THN. Some of these are new startups with no previous ties to NEVS, while others include former NEVS engineers who’ve shifted into new roles.
One example is Trollhättan Mobility AB, founded by Frank Smit (former head of development for Emily GT) and Peter Dahl (former chief engineer and project leader for Emily).
Another company, Factory THN, focuses on vehicle repair and property maintenance. It’s run by individuals who were once part of NEVS and have found new roles through this organization. It’s a powerful, deliberate way to retain the unique skillset cultivated at Stallbacka.
A Broader Mission Beyond Cars
While Selander clearly hopes to finalize the sale of NEVS’s projects, she’s also committed to something just as critical: preserving Stallbacka’s legacy and turning it into a sustainable innovation hub, regardless of NEVS’s outcome.
This effort is already bearing fruit. NEVS has joined BID Stallbacka, a business development network that hosts frequent networking events—often held right inside the NEVS buildings. The energy is positive. The mission has evolved.
Why People Matter More Than Prototypes
While everyone agrees that a successful sale of Emily GT and PONS would be a win for NEVS, there’s a larger truth unfolding in Trollhättan: it’s the people, not just the prototypes, that define a project’s soul.
And those people are still here.
The same engineers, designers, and builders who dared to make Emily GT real are still innovating within these walls. Whether under the NEVS name or new entities, their shared goal remains: to preserve what was built, and perhaps even spark something new.
That’s when magic happens.
What Happens When a Saab Engineer Builds an EV in His Barn?
While the fate of NEVS and Emily GT hangs in the balance, the people behind the project still carry the spark. In the next chapter of our exclusive series, meet Magnus Johansson—the engineer who started converting Saabs to electric in his barn and ended up shaping the drivetrain of the Emily GT.
👉 Read Part 12 – From Barn-Built Saab EV to Engineering Emily GT: The Untold Story of Magnus Johansson
Only if the drop the idea of making ot electric and change the name
One problem is that these vehicles do not even look like Saab’s – but copies of every other manufacturer’s modern styling. Saab c900’s and the pre-facelift 9000’s are the really iconic styling, not the post GM takeover designs.
“EMILY” may be close to the heart, but as a play on the corporate NEVS I’d hope for a “SVEN” model. Wouldn’t go so far back in time to the c900 or 9000. 9-3 and 9-5 seem to be holding as eye catchers to this day.
Sad, look at all electric shit cars, had only bought emily 🥰 so i keep my 6 saab cars forever with love, never anything else
This car is just too good to be put on a shelf forever.
Yes, we can save NEVS and the Emily GT. Give the intelectual property rights to the SAAB Club Sweden and set up a workshop.
And then, start building them. I would buy the first one built and put it on the road. 🇵🇹