Former Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov’s aide Lars Carlstrom has emerged as the entrepreneur behind a new potential Indian bid for bankrupt Saab.
Speculation has centred on the Mahindra & Mahindra group backing any offer for the failed automaker although Carlstrom is declining to confirm any identity with the Swedish manufacturer now in the hands of receivers in Gothenburg.
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However, there seems to be a rapidly diminishing window of opportunity – perhaps just a week – available to make any bid as receivers weigh up options.
“They [Indians] have expressed an interest and want to go ahead and explore the opportunity,” Carlstrom told just-auto from Sweden. “I have been in talks with [them] for at least two years.
“We don’t know exactly what they are looking for – engineers or scrap – it is too early to say. It needs to happen in the next week or it is just scrap you can pick up – otherwise the engineering side is completely diluted.”
Carlstrom worked with Antonov, who appeared to be repeatedly thwarted in his attempts to invest in Saab, notably by the European Investment Bank (EIB), but is now no longer involved in the Russian businessman’s affairs.
Several potential suitors are thought to have expressed an interest in acquiring some or all of Saab but it appears time is of the essence to realise assets from the bankrupt manufacturer whose EUR270m (US$352m) loan from the EIB was underwritten by the Swedish government.
Officials from the Swedish National Debt Office (SNDO) have previously indicated it could recoup that guarantee by realising pledges in Saab’s parts business and tooling manufacturing.
“We hope we will get our money back, at least the valuation of the collateral,” SNDO project leader for the Saab guarantee, Daniel Barr, told just-auto recently.
The Vanersborg District Court formally confirmed Saab’s bankruptcy placing with Hans Bergqvist from Delphi in Gothenburg and Anne-Marie Pouteaux at Wistrand Law Firm in the same city appointed as trustees.
Neither Mahindra nor Delphi was available immediately for comment.
