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Interest in Saab increases

04/16/2009, 9:43 AM

By Andrew Ganz

General Motors’ Swedish unit, Saab, announced earlier today that it has received a high level of interest from 27 potential suitors, though due to confidentiality agreements the automaker signed as a part of its negotiations, it cannot name the interested parties.

That’s up from the approximately 20 serious buyers the company announced earlier this month – and it is a higher level of interest than expected by most industry analysts, though obviously the degree of interest from each party cannot be determined.

“It is of course positive that there has been this level of interest,” Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs told Reuters.

“We are now in an intense and more organized phase of presenting the company to potential interested parties.”

Saab has continued to hold meetings with its potential suitors throughout the last few weeks. Though merely speculation at this point, most indications point to interest from private equity firms that would acquire the brand with eventual intention of selling it to a larger automaker in the future. Still, there is some possibility that Saab might remain an independent, domestic manufacturer acquired by a Swedish company intent on securing government financing that would certainly not come to a foreign partner.

Saab is seeking about $1 billion in financing aimed at overhauling production and developing future models. It does have two fresh, GM-designed models on the way, a new flagship 9-5 sedan and a 9-4x crossover.

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04/16, 9:55 AM

posted by:

rzegatl

I hope the Swedes buy it again. Anyone but the Chinese, please.

04/16, 10:01 AM

posted by:

teahead

I think Saab should compete directly w/Subaru.

Make ONLY AWD cars and make them just a hair more expensive but more luxurious inside.

04/16, 11:33 AM

posted by:

yarddog82abn

WHERE ARE ALL THE GREEN MILLIONAIRES OF THE WORLD?

WHY DON’T THEY STEP UP AND BUY SAAB, AND MAKE IT ALL GREEN, IT’S ALL THERE ALL YOU NEED IS TO TEAM UP WITH TELSA,…

BUT NO… THEY ARE THE 1st. ONES TO CALL FAIL BUT THE LAST ONE’S TO STEP UP AND DO THINGS…

04/16, 12:36 PM

posted by:

Suzhou

chinese buy it, please…………………

04/16, 2:04 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Good. The Swedish Bikini Team must finally have entered the fray. I’ve always maintained a hot tub is the best place to conduct business.

04/16, 2:18 PM

posted by:

Johnny

Chinese wouldn’t buy Saab. They aren’t stupid. No market for Saab in China, Saab doesn’t want to give its tech to the Chinese. Pay much but no outcome. That’s good cos it would stop someone worrying the world coming to a dead end.

04/16, 4:38 PM

posted by:

shane train

Good to see it’s got a chance to survive, but with who??

 
 
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