SWEDEN: NEVS silent on exit rumours from Saab buy

By | 28 August 2012

Mystery continues to surround widespread speculation in Stockholm that National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) is about to pull the plug on its proposed buy-out of bankrupt Saab.

NEVS has played a coy game for the past couple of months, constantly insisting to just-auto the deal for Saab would be completed "during this summer," but rumours are now swirling around Sweden the agreement could collapse as early as this week.

NEVS has declined to reveal what price it was due to pay for the Trollhattan automaker, but sources in Sweden indicate it has apparently encountered funding challenges, although no-one at the consortium was able to confirm if that was the case.

The speculation also comes hard on the heels of yesterday's (27 August) announcement by Chinese manufacturer, Youngman, it intended to pump a significant financial injection into former Saab owner, Spyker.

"Obviously now the value of the bankruptcy estate...is now falling," the Swedish automotive source told just-auto. "It will be a lot less than a few months ago. If the talks are failing, Youngman [could] probably step in and buy the estate without the brand name.

"If it is true they are not able to support the agreement, it will be very strange. But since it was signed, you can see the downturn in the economy."

NEVS was dealt a huge blow recently when lorry manufacturer, Scania, refused to allow its Griffin logo to be used, citing fears of Chinese brand piracy.

"There is a Chinese buyer and in China you see copies of several brands - we don't want to see trucks with our symbol on," a Scania spokesman from the truck maker's headquarters in Sweden told just-auto.

"There are a lot of brand pirates in China - I don't say NEVS has that intention...so to be sure there is no risk we say 'no thank you.'"

Neither NEVS nor Saab's administrators in Gothenburg was immediately available for comment.

Sectors: Regulations, Vehicle manufacturers, Vehicle manufacturing

Companies: Saab, Scania

View next/previous articles

Currently reading -

SWEDEN: NEVS silent on exit rumours from Saab buy

There are currently no comments on this article

Be the first to comment on this article

Related company research

Saab AB - SWOT, Strategy and Corporate Finance Report

Saab AB - SWOT, Strategy and Corporate Finance Report, is a source of comprehensive company data and information. The report covers the company’s structure, operation, SWOT analysis, product and service offerings, detailed financials, and corporate a...

Saab City Limited - Company Capsule

Synopsis ICD Research's "Saab City Limited - Company Capsule" contains a company overview, key facts, major products and services and key employees, as well as data on company locations and subsidiaries. Summary ICD Research's "Saab City Limited - C...

Saab 2010 company profile edition 2

This latest edition just-auto company profile is part of a major series of reports that will provide you with convenient and concise analysis on the world's largest component and vehicle manufacturers. Each individual company is profiled in a consist...

Related articles

ANALYSIS: Qoros of approval

Is the world's newest car brand a Chinese export, or a global brand that just happens to build its cars in China? Mark Bursa reports on the first steps of Qoros.

GENEVA PREVIEW: Qoros to show first production car

Qoros, the new China-based luxury car brand involving Chery, is to show its first series production car at the Geneva Motor Show.

THE WEEK THAT WAS: Financial results: the good, the bad and the ugly

There were more financial results out this week and it was another mixed bag. General Motors' latest black ink was, overall, good. It's still making big profits, mainly based on healthy North American business and continued progress in Asia (especially China where it sold, with its JVs, over 300,000 units in January). Europe's a problem for GM, but that's been the case for a while now, no easy solutions. Also in the good pile was Jaguar Land Rover.

Welcome to the home of automotive information, insight & intelligence

Not a member? Join here

Decrease font sizeDecrease font sizeDecrease font size Increase font sizeIncrease font sizeIncrease font size Comment on this article Email this to a friend Print this page