First new Saab rolls off the production line

A NEW SAAB car has rolled off the Swedish production line for the first time in two and a half years.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden, the Hong Kong-based company that bought Saab out of bankruptcy in September last year, presented its new 9-3 Aero at the factory in Trollhattan.

The company, also called NEVS, aims to make electric cars under the Saab brand, but said it will also provide petrol cars until "electric cars fully meet customer demands."

The first 200 cars will be delivered in spring costing 279,000 kronor (£26,000) each.

Saab shut down production in April 2011 as its previous Dutch owner, Spyker, struggled with financing. Formerly owned by General Motors, Saab filed for bankruptcy in December the same year.

By Press Association reporters