This sort of change gives small and middle-sized Nordic suppliers the chance to regain direct contact with automakers. Such was the reasoning that led Scandinavian automotive supplier trade association FKG and Saab to decide in April to launch a pre-study to determine how suppliers and Saab could work together to develop projects aimed at decreasing vehicle weight.

The project manager for the pre-study, Peter Bryntesson, relates that it all began by informing a large number of suppliers about the project and about Saab´s thoughts for the future concerning lightweight innovations. Visits were then made to a number of suppliers for further discussions and the project, which will concern "lighter vehicles," got its ultimate objective and a name - "Supplier structure for lighter vehicles." Peter says that the automotive industry must reduce vehicle weights - by up to 40% - if they are to meet upcoming CO2 requirements. This means that weight-saving measures have been moved right to the top of the agendas of automakers around the world. So far, there´s been a lot of talk but weights haven´t decreased much. Now it is time for action.

Peter says that 50 suppliers, five representatives from academia, Saab and FKG met at Innovatum in Trollhättan on two occasions in October and November to participate in workshops and discussions on how to make vehicles more lightweight. 120 people took part, creativity flowed and many realized that cooperation among suppliers can lead to exciting proposals. The end result was 270 suggestions for measures to reduce vehicle weight. Some of these suggestions can be implemented immediately, while others demand R&D initiatives. The suggestions comprise products and ideas that demand new collaborative patterns. Setting requirements has emerged as an important issue - it has to be decided if the vehicle will be able to reach speeds of 230 km/h or if 160 is enough. The higher the top speed, the more difficult and expensive it will be to make the vehicle lightweight. The project has considered the entire vehicle apart from the driveline. Seven focus areas were singled out from the 270 suggestions - seat concepts, wheel suspension, front structure, "cockpit", floor structure, body parts in new materials and roof concepts.

The now-implemented study is a pre-study financed by FKG. It will be wrapped up in November of this year and funding applications will then be submitted to Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation (FFI) to drive the project toward realization. FFI funding will come on a 50/50 basis from the government and the automotive industry. Project manager Peter Bryntesson believes that this new way of working will set free the creative energy of the Nordic suppliers. Saab´s openness and desire for serious, long-term collaboration creates conditions for an exciting future. Managing Director SvenÅke Berglie believes that this new way of working will create opportunities for small and middle-sized suppliers. During the GM years, these suppliers have been shut off from direct contact with Saab as Tier 2 or 3 suppliers. Only the largest Swedish suppliers, such as SKF and Autoliv, have had the opportunity and the capacity to match GM´s global purchasing organization. But with the new Saab, avenues of contact are reopened, and this will give rise to a number of exciting projects and partnerships. Naturally these will be of interest to Saab, but they will almost certainly also create opportunities for suppliers with other automakers. "Driving developments in collaboration with Saab is a guarantee that we´re focusing on the right things," concludes SvenÅke Beglie.