Saab says no date set for production to restart
 |
Reprints
Print
Respond
Cash-strapped Saab said on Monday it did not know when it will start building vehicles again.
"It will not be today. The staff is in place this morning but not today. We have no forecast, but we will try and restart it as soon as we can," Saab spokesman Eric Geers told Reuters.
Saab's factory in Trollhattan, southern Sweden, stood still for most of April and May because it could not pay its suppliers. It started making cars again late in May, but was quickly forced to halt again when parts supplies ran out again.
Saab owner Spyker Cars said on June 9 Saab's production lines would be halted until the struggling company secured an agreement with all suppliers.
Geers would not comment on a newspaper report on Monday saying talks had been held over the weekend with Swedish property company Hemfosa on a sale and leaseback deal for the plant and property of Saab in Trollhattan.
According to Swedish business daily Dagens Industri, Hemfosa was prepared to pay around 300 million Swedish crowns ($46 million) for Saab's properties.
In recent weeks, Saab has agreed a rescue package from two Chinese car companies, Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pangda which, if approved by authorities in China and Europe, will solve its mid and long-term financing problems.
However, short-term financing remains a problem with the company pinning its hopes on a quick sale of its factory to give it cash to restart production.
Saab production will be halted for at least two more weeks, a second Saab spokesperson said on Monday.
"There will be no normal production during weeks 25 and 26 (June 20th-July 3rd). But I cannot confirm any new starting date," spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs said.
Source: Reuters
Contact Automotive News
