Throughout history, only a few companies have simultaneously produced aircraft and cars. The most famous and successful of these is SAAB. Born in Sweden and expanding its influence worldwide, the company perfectly combined the ability to produce high-quality air and land transport. Its aircraft have long been considered among the best in Europe, and the cars created with SAAB’s aviation heritage in mind have been and continue to be called the most innovative by many. Let’s take a closer look at the activities of the famous Swedish company and learn about their impact on the automotive and aviation industries.

SAAB, as an aircraft manufacturer

The Swedish aircraft manufacturer was founded in 1937. This was made possible by the reform of the NOHAB company, which was exclusively engaged in developing and producing aircraft engines. The young manufacturer initially operated in the small town of Trollhättan, which was located 75 km from Gothenburg. After merging with ASJA in 1940, SAAB settled in Linköping but did not close its Trollhättan plant.

SAAB began its active activities at a time when the whole world was engulfed in war. All of the company’s products were intended to strengthen Sweden’s defense capabilities and were used to protect the country’s neutrality. The company’s first aircraft was the SAAB 17 reconnaissance aircraft. It appeared in the late 1930s and was not much different from the analogs then. The SAAB 18 bomber and the SAAB 21 fighter were introduced in the following years. The latter became an actual record holder in many respects, and its design was created in just 10 days.

Rapidly changing events at the front and the approaching defeat of Germany forced SAAB to switch its attention to civil aircraft production. Thanks to this event, the SAAB 90 Scandia was released in 1944. This twin-engine passenger aircraft became a real salvation for the company and prevented it from going bankrupt amid a decrease in orders for military aircraft. In the 1950s, SAAB began to combine the production of civil and military aircraft. The company used Many modern technologies in all its products, so the aircraft intended for ordinary people were as advanced as the models for military purposes.

In the mid-1950s, SAAB completely switched its attention to cars, which they had started to produce at the end of the previous decade. Due to this, new aircraft appeared rarely. These were mainly small single- or twin-engine models used as air transport for training newcomers. In 1992, SAAB introduced the 2000 model, which was used equally often in civil and military aviation. This aircraft is designed to carry 50 or more passengers. It can accelerate to 685 km/h and provides a high level of safety. Currently, SAAB is engaged in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and other types of air transport. In 2006, the company presented its UMS Skeldar V-200 helicopter, which can carry small loads, conduct reconnaissance, and be used for radar combat and other similar purposes.

The transition from aircraft to cars

The idea of ​​producing airplanes and cars came to the SAAB executives in the last years of WWII. At that time, the company was going through hard times, as orders for military aircraft were becoming fewer, and it had no other sources of income. It was decided to build a prototype of the first SAAB car to save the situation. This work was entrusted to the company’s leading aircraft engineers, who had not previously been involved in such tasks. They created a unique vehicle that combined aviation and automotive technologies.

The first production model was the SAAB 92, released in 1949. This car had an unusual design and was not popular with drivers. Only about 20 thousand units were sold in 5 years, but this result was acceptable for SAAB. In 1955, the SAAB 93 model appeared. It received a more modern engine and a trapezoidal radiator grille, which later became the hallmark of the Swedish brand. A little later, the SAAB 94, SAAB 95 and SAAB Sonetts were released.

The first car that the company exported to other countries appeared in 1960. The SAAB 96 stood out for its original design and sound characteristics. Foreigners loved it for these qualities and purchased more than 0.5 million copies over the next few years. In the late 60s, the SAAB 99 appeared, which became a clear example of an innovative car. It had many unique features that became a characteristic feature of the brand for many years.

In 1969, the SAAB automobile division announced a partnership with another Swedish car manufacturer, Scania-Vabis AB. As a result, the SAAB-Scania AB company was formed, which quickly began to expand its model range. In the 70s, cars with different body types and equipment appeared in it. In the 80s, SAAB-Scania AB became SAAB Automobile AB, owned by Investor AB and General Motors. This circumstance led to new models with only some distinctive features of the Swedish brand’s cars. In all other respects, they were similar to various vehicles in the production in which General Motors took part. Later, SAAB’s automobile division changed its owner many times and ceased to exist in 2016. Today, cars from famous brands can only be bought at Autobidmaster car auctions and other similar online platforms.

The impact of SAAB’s aviation heritage on the automotive industry

SAAB is a car company that has dramatically influenced the development of the entire industry. In its numerous developments, it has used its aviation heritage and implemented the same technologies as in aircraft production. All this made the brand unique and its products famous worldwide.

In 1946, SAAB built its first car, the UrSaab. It was assembled by hand, which in itself made it unique. This model’s main feature was the body’s streamlined aerodynamic shape. Its engineers created it in the likeness of the fuselage of an airplane, which led many to call it the UrSaab, an air transport on wheels. With the advent of this car, the fashion for a streamlined body shape came. Many well-known companies adopted SAAB’s design solutions, and similar designs were created in their factories. Over the following decades, aerodynamic shapes were in demand and popular with buyers.

In the 1950s, SAAB overtook all its competitors in-car testing. They were the first and only ones to test their models in a wind tunnel, a unique phenomenon for many years. In addition, in the 1950s, SAAB began to use a transverse engine layout. At that time, this was also an innovation and was used only on models of the Swedish brand.

The iconic aircraft for the 50s and 60s was the SAAB 21. It was distinguished by the presence of a practical pilot’s cabin, a rounded windshield and many technical innovations. The Swedes transferred all this to their cars. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to turn each model into a practical and modern vehicle that can not only drive well. Later, other manufacturers adopted the unique developments of SAAB, which once again proved the importance of the Swedish company in the development of the entire automotive industry.

From 1970 to 1990, SAAB adhered to the chosen direction of development of its cars. They gradually became more economical, practical and versatile. In the 21st century, the Swedish manufacturer’s models began to be equipped with advanced control systems. Many were partially borrowed from aircraft models, strengthening the connection between the aviation past and the automotive present. In the following years and until the closure of the automobile division, SAAB continued to improve its models and made them some of the best in the world.

SAAB is a unique company. It is one of the few that moved from aircraft to automobile production. They transferred everything related to aviation to ground transport, making it innovative and unlike the models of other manufacturers. SAAB also played an essential role in developing some areas of the automotive industry and will forever remain in history as a brand striving for perfection.