Citing an unnamed "person close to the situation," the report said Koenigsegg was chosen over rival suitors Renco Group and Merbanco, both U.S.-based investment groups, because of its commitment to restructure Saab and because of its own history as an auto company. The companies are both based in Sweden, which would likely have been an attractive attribute as well to Saab.
A Saab spokesman told media that the company is in the final stages of signing a memorandum of understanding and projected a final deal by late June or early July.
Saab has been under bankruptcy protection since February, and the Swedish government has said it would negotiate loan guarantees to help make the sale possible. Reuters reported Thursday that it has authorized the start of talks between its Debt Office and Saab about the guarantees, which are for loans from the European Investment Bank to Saab.
Inside Line says: A Koenigsegg buyout looks a lot more interesting than a buyout by some faceless consortium, but a lot more should be certain in a few days. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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