Thanks to Dippen for sending this one in. It comes from TTELA, the local newspaper in Trollhattan.

Here’s my tidied up translation….

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Saab Automobile is investing in a new fuel laboratory and an extension of their crash testing facility. These investments will cost around ten million SKR each (that’s US$1.2m each).

“The economy being what it is, we have brought the suit thereafter. At the same balance and make the right investments,” said Eric Geers, information director at Saab. (OK, I’ve got no idea what that should be tidied up as – SW)

Only one of its kind

The decision on the fuel lab was taken just over a month ago and the plant will be the only one of its kind within General Motors Europe. Here, all GM’s models will be tested. That it ended up in Trollhattan was due to the fact that it was the most cost effective solution.

“We have a focus on the future in Trollhattan, we have shown, so it is no surprise. We have skills here, we complement each other in different places and don’t duplicate our work. Having the fuel lab here is part of GM’s global development,” said Eric Geers.

All temperatures

When fuel lab is complete, it should be able to test the refueling of cars at different temperatures. Through a heat chamber the temperature can change from plus 70 to minus 30 degrees to replicate conditions in, for example, Saudi Arabia and Siberia.

The cars will be able to be refueled at any temperature. They should also be designed to meet all different types of refueling nozzles and refueling guns.

I’d imagine they’ll be testing more than just the ability to refuel cars, like the tuning of different cars for different fuels and conditions – SW

Extention of crash testing

The investment decision on crash testing goes further back in time. In the spring, the crash testing runway was closed for renovations. The crash course has now been extended meaning that it is possible to carry out crash tests at higher speeds than before. All the impact that Saab needs to implement can now be done on site in Trollhattan.

Moreover, it has invested in new photographic equipment to provide better images.

Positive for Saab Trollhättan.

“The economic situation is not what we would like it to be, we hope that it will soon turn around. This is part of a future bet and I think we have made good investments,” says Eric Geers.

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This is great news for Trollhattan. Obviously the decisions would have been taken before anyone knew about the current crisis, but the fact that so much faith is being shown in the Saab facility is encouraging news.

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