Although it looks like Saab will persevere despite a near-bankruptcy, it will do so without one of its top executives. Gunnar Brunius, its head of production and purchasing, announced this week that he will join Volvo Aero, a nearby aeronautics firm no longer related to Sweden’s other automaker.
Brunius was with Saab in Trollhattan, Sweden, for more than 30 years, which means his departure could make a production restart difficult for the automaker.
The head of Europe’s automotive suppliers association told Automotive News that “it would have been better for the moment quite clearly” had Brunius, who “knows the company inside out and… is respected” not departed.
Saab owes its suppliers about 150 million euros, but the two Chinese firms that have committed to investing in the automaker say they are willing to pay outstanding debts. Saab is set to be acquired by Youngman and Pang Da, for 100 million euros, both of which say they will invest around 500 million euros in the beleaguered automaker.
Saab production is set to commence by the end of this year, but the automaker is hoping to cut its ranks by about 500 workers before eventually reaching an employment level of around 3,000 workers in Sweden.
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1.’Saab loses its…’ view
