Saab has halted production again today (5 April) as suppliers stop deliveries in a dispute concerning payment of bills.
“Production is stopped right now. It was stopped this morning,” Gunilla Gustavs, spokeswoman for Saab told Reuters, citing parts shortages due to payment difficulties.
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Speculation is rife in Swedish media the automaker has been forced to stop manufacture at its Trollhattan plant due to supply issues.
The head of Scandinavia’s automotive suppliers association (FKG) also backed the reports.
“Production has completely stopped…I heard from one of our suppliers they stopped today,” FKG managing director Sven-Ake Berglie told just-auto. “If you do not pay your bills…you will have the same kind of problems.
“Suppliers are not able to be the bank account of Saab. What I hope – because I know Saab is working hard on that – that they can refinance themselves with a new owner or they have discussions with the European Investment Bank.” [EIB]
A spokeswoman for Sweden’s National Debt Office, whose organisation is guaranteeing Saab’s EIB loan told just-auto she had heard about Saab stopping production on Swedish radio, but that she could not add any details.
“We have said we guaranteed another down payment of the loan from the bank, but even though we gave them the guarantee, there is no payment yet.
“We are waiting for the bureaucrats [in Luxembourg].”
