#Trollhttan

In a little less than two years since it filed for bankruptcy, Swedish automaker Saab is back on track, hoping to restart production later this year.

Last week we reported the news that Saab was auctioning off the vehicles in its museum, with over 120 different models looking to be separated from one another. It appears that Saab enthusiasts and the city of Trollhättan, where the museum is located, wasn’t too keen on that idea.

Somehow, Saab is still alive, clinging to financial solvency with a tenacious refusal to go gentle into that good night. Some good news in its struggle has emerged, however: the troubled company has raised $5.8 million in a deal with GEM Global Yield Fund Limited, securing its funding for the time being.

Saab’s Trollhättan plant has been idle since April, while Saab raises money by selling Girl Scout cookies and mowing its neighbor’s lawn. This deal allows Saab to issue and sell 4 million new shares, but it still needs more money in the future: the company still needs to pay its suppliers as well as its employers in order to resume production by the end of August.

Saab’s ongoing drama will remain at a standstill for another two weeks. Saab’s Trollhattan factory in Sweden, has not produced vehicles for most of April and May because of issues regarding paying suppliers. The factory bounced back in late May, but was quickly forced to stop production when part supplies ran out yet again.

General Motors has officially announced it has reached a tentative deal to sell its Swedish Saab brand to a group of companies lead by Swedish supercar-maker Koenigsegg.

The deal will see the Koenigsegg group receive $600 million in funding from the European Investment Bank, which has been guaranteed by the Swedish government.

GM will provide Saab with platform and powertrain technology for an undisclosed period of time, while Saab is set to begin production of the next generation 9-5 in the near future at its plant in Trollhättan, Sweden.

“The proposed agreement will enable us to maximize the brand’s potential through an exciting new product line-up with a distinctly Swedish character.  Today’s announcement is great news for Saab’s current and future customers, dealers, suppliers and employees around the globe, said Jan Ake Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab.

“This is yet another significant step in the reinvention of GM and its European operations,” said GM Europe President, Carl-Peter Forster.  “Saab is a highly respected automotive brand with great potential. Closing this deal represents the best chance for Saab to emerge a stronger company.  Koenigsegg Group’s unique combination of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and financial strength, combined with Koenigsegg’s proven ability to create world-class Swedish performance cars in a highly efficient manner, made it the right choice for Saab as well as for General Motors.”

Koenigsegg’s acquisition of Saab is expected to be completed by the third-quarter of this year.

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