Saab 'sells old 9-5 to BAIC'

Saab has sold the production equipment for its old 9-5 models to Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC), according to reports.

The report, in Sweden's Ny Teknik newspaper, said Saab had begun dismantling the production line for the old 9-5 in October as part of a plan to send the equipment to China and make way for its new 9-5 line, which is due to start production early next year.Saab's parent company GM has previously been wary of selling off anything that hands over intellectual property rights, but it is possible it is willing to sell the 9-5 production equipment as it is substantially different from any other car it makes.

Although the 9-5 was based on the Vauxhall Vectra, Saab engineers said it actually shared only 35 per cent of its parts with the Vauxhall.

Saab refused to comment on the reports.BAIC was part of the collapsed takeover talks for Saab led by Swedish luxury car maker Koenigsegg, and has been reported to be considering bidding alone.

Saab sources also insist that it has more than one serious bidder looking to make an offer for the company. The Swedes have until the end of December to find a new buyer for the company, or it will be wound up by General Motors.

Twitter - follow autocar.co.ukSee all the latest Saab reviews, news and video