European unions have blamed both General Motors and the Swedish government for Saab’s bankruptcy, apportioning criticism to the two sides.
The Swedish automaker is currently awaiting a decision from its receivers in Gothenburg as to who – if any – of the current suitors vying to buy the manufacturer will be chosen although it appears most of the near-4,000 workforce is already seeking alternative employment.
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“The problem is it completely depended on the decision of General Motors,” European Metalworkers Federation (EMF) policy adviser Wolf Jacklein told just-auto in Brussels. “There was nothing the Europeans or Swedish [government] could have done about it.
“GM wanted to get rid of the site and of the company. The position of the Swedish government was very clearly they did not want to do anything with manufacturing. The ideology is the market decides and they do not do anything for favouring employment in the industry.”
Reports in Sweden today (10 April) indicate Saab may owe around US$1.9bn with assets of US$531m.
Sweden’s National Debt Office (SNDO) is Saab’s largest creditor after it paid back US$325m to the European Investment Bank following a loan guarantee to the automaker during its restructuring phase.
The SNDO now sits on the board of Saab Automobile Parts although a spokesman for the body previously indicated to just-auto it would hold back from selling its interest in the parts and tools businesses in which it has pledges.
