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The Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) is poised to buy the tooling and design rights to the outgoing Saab 9-5, according to Autocar sources.

BAIC recently became a minority shareholder in the Koenigsegg Group, which is attempting to buy Saab from General Motors.

If the plans go ahead, the 9-5 will be ‘shifted lock, stock and barrel’ to China. Production of the 9-5 estate is expected to end in the next few weeks.

There’s no news as to whether BAIC intends to re-s...Read the full article

All this talk of the old 9-5 being built in China when it's more than likely that some of the new 9-5 will be carried out by BAIC for Asian markets.

Poor 9-5, isnt it time it was laid to rest? The design dates back to 1997 and its been facelifted 2 or 3 times now. Surely its a bit past its sell by date?

Maybe but it would still achieve 4Stars with the latest NCAP tests.

And, it would be better than anything else produced in China right now!

WooDz:

Maybe but it would still achieve 4Stars with the latest NCAP tests.

Too true! And if you want proof that a 13 year old European car is 'safer' just Google Brilliance BS6 crash test. Scary

Hoping they dont then ship it back to Europe and sell it as the all new 2010 'BAIC Shining Monkey' or something....

shortbread:

Hoping they dont then ship it back to Europe and sell it as the all new 2010 'BAIC Shining Monkey' or something....

That would be quite amusing if they did, can just imagine it now.

shortbread:

Hoping they dont then ship it back to Europe and sell it as the all new 2010 'BAIC Shining Monkey' or something....

At the right price (undercutting the Skoda Superb) and if they get the build quality right the estate would be a bloody good car.

tannedbaldhead:

At the right price (undercutting the Skoda Superb) and if they get the build quality right the estate would be a bloody good car.

No it really wouldn't. When it first came out it was good, but the design is very nearly 13 years old now so it would really need a radical make-over inside and out to seriousley compete with a modern rival.