Saab employees have been sent home again today (12 April) with the automaker’s production stop now extending to tomorrow as the hunt continues for new funding.
The manufacturer’s staff were at its Trollhattan factory yesterday to undertake various duties including maintenance, but outstanding supplier payment issues have resulted in work grinding to a halt yet again.
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“Saab has stopped production for today and tomorrow – our members are at home,” Saab’s largest union IF Metall chairman Hakan Skott told just-auto from Sweden.
“They are being paid, that will continue today and tomorrow. We have had a meeting today, but I have no comment on those discussions. Our members have been asked to come back to work on Thursday – I hope they will be working.”
Saab owner Spyker confirmed it was in talks with “several parties” to secure additional short and medium term funding, with the Swedish National Debt Office requested to release its pledge in Saab’s automobile property to allow the manufacturer to use this to find extra finance.
However, Spyker conceded the outcome of the discussions was “still not certain.” A statement from the Dutch sportscar maker today (12 April) said: “With additional funding in place to resolve outstanding payment issues with its suppliers, Saab Automobile expects it will be able to resume normal production within a week from the receipt of funds.”
Should further funding be secured, Saab said it could restart production and realise its business plan that includes launching the new 9-4X crossover and 9-5 SportCombi in the next few months.
Saab was not immediately available for comment.
