Saab has sold the production equipment for its outgoing 9-5 models to Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC), according to media reports.
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Sweden’s Ny Teknik newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said that a deal had already been struck between Saab and the Chinese automaker for the production tools for the old 9-5 sedans, Reuters reported.
The reports said Saab had begun dismantling the production line for the old sedans in October as part of a plan to send the equipment to China and make way for its new 9-5 line due to go into production early next year.
“I can’t comment on this one way or another,” Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs told the news agency.
BAIC was forced to weigh its options alone after a consortium, led by tiny Swedish luxury car maker Koenigsegg, pulled out of talks to buy Saab, putting in doubt the future of the loss-making General Motors’ unit.
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By GlobalDataBAIC wants to boost its international presence and analysts have said it could still bid for some Saab assets on its own but is unlikely to try for the whole company.
GM said this week it would consider offers for its Saab brand until the end of the month and move to close the Swedish unit then if it appears that it cannot be sold.
It said there had been an outreach from several interested parties but declined to name them.
Spyker, a small luxury car maker in the Netherlands, said on Wednesday it was talking with GM about buying Saab, but declined to say whether it had submitted a bid.
US financier Ira Rennert and his Renco Group have also expressed interest in a deal.
