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19.12.2013

Ruukki, Helsinki

Nevs and Ruukki in partnership on the new Saab

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, Nevs, which has resumed the manufacture of Saab cars in Trollhättan, Sweden, has initiated a partnership with Ruukki. Among other things, Ruukki will supply Litec, an ultra-high-strength formable steel and one of the key components in body-in-white manufacture. New Saab cars have been rolling out of the Trollhättan plant since 2 December. The internationally highly-acclaimed 9-3 model is now back in production under its new owners, Nevs, which will launch their first electric car next year. Nevs has chosen Finnish steelmaker Ruukki as one of its partners in this new venture. Ruukki will supply different grades of steel for the body-in-white of the Saab 9-3.


"It's great to be involved in the resurrection of one of Sweden's best-known brands," says Thomas Hörnfeldt, Senior Vice President, Special Steels, Ruukki Metals. "Our flexibility and short delivery times enable us to offer the quick response a start-up company needs." Ruukki delivers formable steels, high-strength steels and also Litec, an ultra-high-strength steel available in dual-phase or complex-phase grades.


"Our Litec is almost four times stronger than formable steel and has an extremely high ability to absorb energy or prevent penetration into the car cabin in the event of collision," explains Jonas Adolfsson, Product Manager, Automotive, at Ruukki.


"With ultra-high-strength steel, you can reduce the material thickness and therefore make lighter, more fuel-efficient cars that retain the same safety factor. We at Ruukki focus highly on developing materials and applications to foster the manufacture of lightweight, energy-efficient vehicles."


As a supplier to the automotive industry, the approach you take is just as important as the hardware you deliver. To handle this assignment, Ruukki has put together a team of specialists who know what customers expect and can thus work proactively.


"Working closely with our customers and partners is an important part of our philosophy," says Thomas Hörnfeldt. "We want to contribute with our competence on how steel can best be used to result in an end product with optimal characteristics."


Ruukki, Helsinki