Hawtai SUV headed to America & Europe as part of Saab deal

Hawtai B11 - 11.5.2011

Could cost $10,000

If you've been fantasizing about buying a Chinese SUV, you might want to pinch yourself because your dreams could soon becoming true.

Speaking with Automotive News, Saab chairman Victor Muller revealed the recent partnership with Hawtai means the latter company will soon be gaining access to Europe and the United States. While he declined to discuss specifics, Muller mentioned that the first model would be an SUV that cost approximately $10,000 and could arrive in the next two or three years.

It remains unclear if consumers are ready to fully embrace Chinese-built vehicles but, in a rather frank statement, Muller said "Do you really worry about a five-star (safety rating)?"

Source: Automotive News

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benz_man

wow, what a statement...

May 11, 2011 4:18 pm

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Xjpro

What a genius you are Mr. Muller! sure you don't worry about safety at all, cause probably you or your family won't be driving around in one of these.- Another good sample of today's genius in the auto industry.-

May 11, 2011 6:30 pm

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ne1butu

Are you kidding? As part of the SAAB deal, we get this gem!? Oh joy, how did we get so lucky? Let me be clear, there are a thousand reasons that the Chinese should never be permitted to build another vehicle or any durable goods or safety item. They just isn't in their DNA to do it. Even if the day comes that they can, they will still have a legacy that they'll have to overcome of building the shoddiest, most toxic, lowest quality crap at the lowest price. A disposable iPod, sure. But a vehicle, no way. I will never own a chinese vehicle.

May 11, 2011 6:51 pm

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Han Solo

Mr. Muller, are you still working there?

May 11, 2011 7:50 pm

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Edison

Mr. Muller should focus his efforts on selling more SAABs in the US rather than worrying about this other no-name company. I live in probably the largest market for foreign cars in the US and I have yet to see a new 95 on the road.

May 11, 2011 8:09 pm

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PAA

Easy guys! We don't know what these guys will be bringing over. It could even be a 5star, still a crap for an automobile I'm sure. My real worry is how soon will Saab start using Chinese parts in their car. They already have some reliability issues.

May 11, 2011 8:14 pm

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Saab Fan

A disappointing statement - particularly for Saab. If Muller doesn't believe we care about safety, what hope does Saab have? Saab's reputation for safety is one area that hasn't been damaged over the last 1.5-2 years. If Saab starts to neglect safety it will have nothing left. Seriously, moron!

May 11, 2011 9:02 pm

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

a crazy design indeed . imagine taking into inspiration a certifiably lunatic design that the PorscheCayenne embodies ... an indelible testament to asinine German thinking .

May 11, 2011 10:06 pm

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Broseph Stalin

I don't know about you but I think Victor Muller is some sort of villan

May 11, 2011 10:28 pm

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alessandro

It is worse than that but...Yes.

May 11, 2011 11:24 pm

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alessandro

Rims from Renault (Laguna 2005), grill from kitchen or was it Bentley... Saab is not easy to be.

May 11, 2011 11:20 pm

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freeway

...I wanted to comment something on this article, but then I've started reading the comments above... and couldn't stop laughing... And I'm sorry to say that they are all right, regarding all Chinese car manufacturers... I've had once "the chance" to drive one of these... things... and it was like it was made out of a toilet paper roll and the quality... no comment, it was simply incredible the feeling of insecurity, a feeling that I've never had before in my whole life... so, they'd better stick to their not so life threatening products like cotton shirts, pants and shoes...

May 11, 2011 11:30 pm

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dudeluk

Carbage. That's all there is to say. Oh and Muller, really..?!

May 12, 2011 12:25 am

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automobile007

Ha Carbage! Perfect word to describe this

May 12, 2011 4:16 am

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hk20

why bring them to europe and the states when they know that people would not buy it

May 12, 2011 1:30 am

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automobile007

Late April Fools?

May 12, 2011 4:15 am

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rsrtampa

Didn't this deal just fall through? Poor Saab, I just don't know if they will make it and I have always been a fan.

May 12, 2011 7:01 am

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Poseidon91

Chineese car are total crap. Taiwaneese car's are much better.

May 12, 2011 7:41 am

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kryst_PL

Mr. Muller, would you care your children driving car like this? I would never allow it, i do care about my own safety and only way to estimate it somehow are safety ratings. So shuff this chinese death trap up your a***, or do what you will. I'd rather have an old european car.

May 12, 2011 8:14 am

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Grey

as long as they dont try to pass one of their quality vehicle as a saab (92x and 97x was a fiasco in recovery) to hell with what they do as long as they give saab the money then leave saab alone like geeley did with volvo! but are they going to be selling these hawtai out of the almost non-existing saab dealer network?

May 12, 2011 11:50 am

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schizo

What's sadder than Mr. Muller's comment about safety is the fact that having seen what's on the road in China (atleast the big cities) not even the Chinese are buying Chinese cars...

May 12, 2011 10:53 pm

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