Swedish government officials are distancing themselves from rumours gaining currency the administration is backing an electric consortium willing to take over Saab.
Speculation gathered strength yesterday (23 May) events may be moving rapidly towards a resolution of Saab’s tortuous saga that saw the automaker enter bankruptcy last December.
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Former European automotive supplier CEO, Lars Holmqvist, who was closely involved trying to protect his members’ interests with Saab, as well looking to find ways to recover what are thought to be upwards of EUR150m (US$189m) debts, also alluded government sources may be involved.
“I was contacted by some people who are interested parties and they are talking about… trying to manoeuvre so the consortium could take over Saab rather than Youngman,” Holmqvist told just-auto from Sweden.
“As usual there are the conspiracy theories the government is promoting this initiative – something is moving, you don’t know what – from the people very close to this process.”
However, the government, which has come under a sustained barrage of criticism for its handling of Saab’s bankruptcy and subsequent mass redundancy in its home town of Trollhattan, declined to be drawn on whether it was behind what is thought to be a Japanese/Chinese electric consortium.
“It is a process the Swedish government is not in charge of – it is a process the receivers are in charge of,” an Enterprise Ministry spokeswoman told just-auto from Sweden. “We have seen all those rumours – our response is the same as it has been before – we make sure we have the information we need and the contacts we need.”
Main Saab blue collar union, IF Metall, recently told just-auto an answer concerning prospective bids was expected by mid-June – but with unemployment in Trollhattan among its members soaring to 40% – swift action is needed to bring a resolution to the saga.
“We are prepared to be door openers…and to explain what it is like to open a business in Sweden,” said the Enterprise Ministry spokeswoman.
“When it comes to the exact process of what will happen to Saab, then you have to talk to the receivers.”
Speculation has also centred on the Swedish government applying for permission from the European Union for grants to help Saab workers, although no-one at the Labour Ministry in Stockholm was immediately available to confirm if Brussels had been approached.
