The Swedish government, along with the chief and unions of General Motors Co’s loss-making Saab unit, on Tuesday lauded GM’s announcement of “expressions of interest” from potentials buyers for the brand.
GM said in a press release on Tuesday it had received interest from buyers and would evaluate the potential bids before the end of this month.
“We naturally think its a good thing that we have succeeded in convincing GM it should try out interested [buyers],” Swedish Enterprise Minister Maud Olofsson told Swedish news agency TT, adding that “we hope this will lead to a good end result.”
Saab chief Jan-Aake Jonsson told TT GM’s announcement was “the best decision one could hope for,” shortly before flying home from Detroit, Michigan, where a meeting had taken place between representatives from Saab, GM and the Swedish government.
“What we are going to do during December is evaluate the potential candidates we have,” Jonsson said.
Joeran Haegglund, the Swedish state secretary at the enterprise ministry who was also at the Detroit talks, told TT he was “very happy that Saab’s board considered our standpoint” on Saab, and that it was good “GM gave a clear answer” on the nameplate’s fate.
GM said it may end the brand if it fails to find a suitable buyer.
Neither Jonsson or Haegglund would comment on the potential buyers, but both confirmed they knew who they were, TT said.
Union representatives, who held an improvised press conference in Saab’s hometown Trollhaettan, were also delighted at the news.
“It was an important answer we received today. It shows GM is looking at future possibilities for Saab with a new owner,” said Annette Hellgren, the head of Saab’s Unionen union.
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