No deal with Spyker due to Russian owner

[FarCenter]

Published: 19 Dec 09 09:41 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23944/20091219/

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A insider source with information about the Saab closure claims that US car maker General Motors did not sell its Swedish unit to Dutch Spyker due to concern about too many inconsistencies surrounding Russian joint owner Vladimir Antonov.

Through his company Convers Group, Antonov owns around 30 percent of Spyker and is thought to have propped up the auto manufacturer through the supporting purchases of cars.

General Motors has taken the first steps towards closing Saab Automobile. "This was an extremely surprising and very unfortunate decision,” said Sweden's enterprise minster Maud Olofsson during a press conference in Trollhätten, where Saab’s headquarters are located, following the announcement from GM.

She emphasized that the decision was made by GM. “GM is Saab’s owner and GM could have done a lot more for Saab during all of these years,” she said.

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[chandler2]

1. I currently own a 9000 turbo. My second Saab.

I hope that the Swedish government steps in and saves the company.