ZEEWOLDE, The Netherlands -

Saab announced Thursday that the date to resume production at its Trollhattan plant will be postponed until late August, at the earliest.

The automakers recent proposal to restart production Aug. 9 was delayed because of a failure to secure the necessary parts from suppliers.

An industry-wide summer break that affected a large amount of the automaker’s key suppliers caused some of the parts shortages, the company noted. 

After Saab stopped rolling cars out in April, when suppliers ceased deliveries due in part to unpaid bills, the automaker continues to struggle to restart production at the plant where it currently has orders for close to 11,000 vehicles.

Gunnar Brunius, vice president of production and purchasing, offered his take on the recent delay: "I am positive about the progress we made on the payment terms with our suppliers, and it is good to see that we all want to make it work. What we need now is a full commitment on supply of parts into our factory to be able to restart production and secure a stable manufacturing operation.

“We are now working hard with our suppliers to nail down these plans, commit to a delivery schedule and start building the close to 11,000 cars that we currently have in our order books," he noted.

"The industry-wide summer break at our suppliers caused certain key suppliers not to be able to supply us in time. Saab Automobile hopes to restart production earliest in week 35 provided that it is able to commit to a delivery schedule with its suppliers,” he continued.

The automaker has been plagued with supply problems since the spring, due to its inability to pay suppliers in full.

As a result, in late June, 48 of the companies, including suppliers as well as other creditors, that owed money by Saab and its parent company Swedish Automobile, have filed with Swedish collection agency Kronofogden to collect more than $3.6 million.

In response, the automaker requested its creditors accept 10 percent now and the remaining 90 percent in September of this year.

It was also reported that the automaker had sent a letter to suppliers throughout the world requesting that the company be permitted to pay cash when components are delivered — or as soon as possible after delivery.

But it’s not all bad news for Saab, the automaker has had a bit of luck securing short-term funding over the summer — obtaining 61 million euros in additional funding commitments as of early July.

The funding came in part from a recently announced partnership with Youngman Passenger Car Group Co. on the formation of a Sweden-based new product joint venture company designed to develop three new Saab models and a recent order for Saab vehicles worth $18.4 million.

Moreover, a leaseback deal with a consortium of Swedish real estate investors led by real estate company Hemfosa Fastigheter AB and the securing of investments with China’s auto dealership chain Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. and automaker Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. added to the sum, as well.

That said, company officials noted they are continuing discussions with parties to find further short-tem funding to be able to restart and sustain production. 

The automaker also continues negotiations and discussions with its supplier base regarding material supply and delivery terms in order to be able to resume production at its Trollhattan plant.

First Saab 9-4X Arrives at U.S. Dealers Doorsteps

In other company news, the automaker recently announced that the new Saab 9-4X crossover has landed in U.S. dealer showrooms.

The company noted that as of last week, more than one hundred orders had been placed for the vehicle.

“Our first vehicles are just hitting retailers, and our first customer sale took place last weekend at Saab North Olmstead in Cleveland, Ohio," said Tim Colbeck, president and chief operating officer of Saab Cars North America.

“This is an exciting product, with a true Saab crossover that gives us entry into a new segment,” he added.

The 9-4X was recently awarded “Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and brings “car-like handling and ride qualities to the crossover segment,” company officials noted.

Available technologies for the crossover include Saab´s DriveSense adaptive chassis, with real-time damping control, and Saab XWD, an all wheel-drive system with an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential.

The automaker also noted that the first 9-4X sale went to Martin Reuben of Ohio.

“Before even driving it off the lot, I put my butt into the seat, looked around and bought it on the spot,” Reuben said.

“So far, everything I´ve discovered on this car is pure Saab — purposeful & well designed,” he concluded.

If interested in Saab’s fight to restart production, see the following Auto Remarketing stories:

Saab Announces Tentative Production Restart Date

Saab Secures Agreements with Chinese Investors, Announces Plan for Three New Vehicle Models

Saab Pays June Employees’ Wages, Secures 25 Million Euro Loan

Saab Receives $18.4 Million Order, Negotiates Leaseback Deal

Saab: Unable to Make Payroll, Continues Negotiation with Creditors

Saab Celebrates Vehicle Production Resuming

Saab Hopes to Restart Production with New Short-Term Funding