According to reports out of Sweden, at least three independent groups have shown substantial interest in picking up where Koenigsegg’s negotiations to acquire Saab ended.
Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation, which was set to become a minority investor in Koenigsegg, is said to have been the first to contact General Motors about purchasing Saab, but credible reports indicate that two American investment groups, billionaire investor Ira Rennert’s Renco and Wyoming-based Merbanco, are also actively pursuing the brand.
Merbanco president Christopher Johnston confirmed in an interview yesterday with Bloomberg that Merbanco would be willing to acquire a majority stake in Saab.
“I do not believe that the company should be closed,” Johnston said. “Whoever buys Saab, or if GM keeps Saab, there’s a lot of work ahead but I believe that the company should survive.”
Reports late last night indicated that no formal written offers have been submitted, although a Saab spokesperson confirmed that the company has been speaking to outside parties.
“We have a close dialogue and close contact with several who have expressed interest in buying Saab Automobile,” Saab spokesperson Gunilla Gustavs told Reuters.
Swedish enterprise minister Maud Oloffson said that while the government is not participating in the search for a buyer for Saab.
“It is Saab owner General Motors that should find a new buyer, not the government,” Maud Olofsson said in an interview with Sweden’s TT news agency. “Now it is in the hands of GM and it is they who should find a new buyer. It feels positive that GM has not given up hope of finding a new buyer.”
11/27, 11:30 AM
posted by:
reedfast
I’m interested, can i get a government grant?
11/27, 12:04 PM
posted by:
andy
sure sell Saab cheap to the chinese now, then in 300 years come bitching about how the yellow man stole and defiled your turbo’d svedish meatball… the chinese may have met their match http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/cartoon/images/Lantz/cb-wally.jpg
11/27, 1:19 PM
posted by:
psiclone
This is good news for GM. And it’s a refreshing change to finally hear a government tell a private company that they don’t want to be involved. I really hope one of the two American companies manage to purchase SAAB, if any do. Kind of strange to hear that there are American investors interested.
11/27, 1:59 PM
posted by:
F50
PSA should buy them, it would give them access to the US Market, and the excellent new 9-5. The Citroen C4 would form the basis for an entry level Saab 9-2 and 9-3. the new 9-5 stays as is, a new 9-6 full size sedan based on the C6. Citroen’s great suspension design + Saab’s Engine and Turbo tech = Profit.
It would later give Saab a winner lineup.
9-1: Based on the Citroen C3, a compact car that would be a BMW Mini rival.
9-2: C4 based Coupe/Convertible, Volvo C70 Rival?
9-3: C4 based Sedan/Wagon. Compact Sedan(A4 Size)
9-5: Same as is
9-6: C6 based Sedan/Wagon. Fullsizer(300C, Genesis, etc.)
9-7: CUV based on C4 Picasso.
If Hyundai is moving slightly upscale then I think Saab should chase it. Saab should only share the chassis with Citroen(and electrics, etc.), the Gearbox, Engines, etc. should all be Saab exclusive.
11/27, 2:48 PM
posted by:
MoDo
Saab is toast, they dont stand a chance. The only thing worth anything to anyone is their dealer network. Other than that you could start an entirely new car company for about the same amount it will take to fix Saab…a company nobody cares about to begin with.
Put a fork in it!
11/27, 3:03 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Things can’t be that bad if they’re talking about having all these parties.
11/27, 3:58 PM
posted by:
moparsalesman1
Something
An
A**hole
Bought
Now
I
Know
Why
He
Types
Like
This
Its
Fun
11/27, 4:16 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
.
.
Report: At least three parties interested in Saab
………………………… Larry, Curly, and Moe?
11/27, 5:12 PM
posted by:
MoDo
Helping
Out
Nips
Destroy
America
11/27, 5:56 PM
posted by:
ajm11
I prefer Honda – Had one Never did again, SAAB – Send another Automobile Back.
But on a serious note, hopefully one of the three will actually buy SAAB from GM.
11/27, 8:25 PM
posted by:
johngalt
Boo, hoo… Tell me another one of your Saab stories.
11/27, 9:16 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Won’t do any good unless they can move metal. They may have to go considerably upmarket to turn a profit.
Good luck, SAAB.
11/28, 9:09 AM
posted by:
Tag Christof
a saab story:
http://www.tagchristof.org/archetype/trashtalk/trashtalk.html
11/29, 3:27 AM
posted by:
Sanandraes2004
I was reading some reports regarding the Saab situation and if I understand them correctly Sweeden has some retarded export duty/tax that some or all exporters pay. If this is true, how is it possible for General Motors/Saab or any other automaker to build cars in Sweeden and make a profit esporting them to other countries?? Maybe I am mistaken because the idea of a country charging an export duty/tax is too retarded to be true!! How can General Motors or any other automaker be a successful manufacturer in Sweeden if this is true??
11/29, 4:31 AM
posted by:
PhuckFavre
They sure do have some neat looking concepts…
http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/concepts/index.jsp
11/29, 4:38 AM
posted by:
PhuckFavre
Ah hah! I finally figured out why Saab has been building pieces of **** for so long…
“And the very first Saab car was designed and hand built by 16 aircraft engineers. Only one of which had a driver’s license.”
These phuckers had no idea what a car is supposed to be…
11/30, 10:26 AM
posted by:
shaver
Maybe Tiger will buy it. Sounds like his present Swedish model is up for replacement!