STOCKHOLM, Sweden — The Swedish courts have given Saab more time to restructure, as the company's U.S. parent General Motors reportedly has narrowed the list of prospective buyers for Saab to three finalists. Among them: Swedish supercar builder Koenigsegg.
A report in the Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri said the finalists include Fiat — denied by the Italian automaker, which is also bidding to acquire a majority stake in GM's Opel — as well as Rennco, a U.S. holding company controlled by junk-bond king Ira Rennert that owns a minority stake in AM General, the original parent of Hummer.
Saab is restructuring under protection from the Swedish courts. GM earlier this year said it plans to spin off its Swedish subsidiary by January 1.
Koenigsegg is viewed in Sweden as a popular suitor. Given Saab's roots in the aircraft industry — the name is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan AB or Swedish Airplane Limited — it would be ironic if the nearly bankrupt auto brand wound up in the hands of the exclusive sports-car manufacturer, which is based in Angelholm at the former home of the Swedish Air Force, which once flew Saab Gripens from the site.
Inside Line says: Harmonious link-up if it works, since Christian von Koenigsegg's high-end cars really do resemble jets, in both appearance and performance. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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