Swedish regional government is to inject SEK90m (US$13.4m) into the area around bankrupt Saab’s home town of Trollhattan, with help given to those made unemployed by the automaker’s demise to travel to Norway to seek work.
Norway is a relatively short distance from Trollhattan, which could shortly face mass redundancies if receivers handling Saab’s bankruptcy fail to find a new buyer.
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Some 4,000 layoffs could directly occur, with previous estimates to just-auto of around 12,000 indirect job losses in the supply chain, leading politicians to hastily assemble various financial aid packages.
“The investment is SEK 90m – this is as a result of the Saab situation,” a spokeswoman for the Swedish Social Democratic Party told just-auto from Sweden. “We will have new express buses, new bus services for inland and more train stops.
“This can help people get jobs in Norway, where we know there are a lot of possibilities. There is a very close cross-cultural tie with Norway in these parts.”
What the spokeswoman refers to as “enhanced commuting possibilities” will also be made available from Trollhattan to Gothenburg – the home of Volvo – which may receive job enquiries from redundant Saab workers.
As well as improved transport links, part of the money will also be used to promote new businesses in the energy and climate fields – areas the Social Democrats say are expanding in Trollhattan.
A union official told just-auto earlier today (23 January) one of its automotive experts on last week’s Youngman-sponsored trip to Shanghai had revealed the Chinese manufacturer to be “totally serious” concerning a potential bid for Saab.
Youngman previously failed in its attempt to buy Saab, with former owner General Motors raising objections of ownership control and technology licences.
