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REPORTS: Chinese automaker, Wyoming investors still in bidding mix for Saab. Wait... Wyoming?!
Analysts have been speculating for years just how Chinese automakers would enter the North American market. The struggles of U.S. automakers have provided plenty of opportunities to purchase mature marques from the likes of General Motors or Ford, but so far, only Hummer has been added by a company from the land of the Great Wall. Beijing Auto, which partners with Daimler in China, was reportedly vying for Opel, but now Gasgoo, through a report in the South China Morning Post, is reporting that the Chinese automaker has turned its attention to Saab.
Saab CEO Jan-Ake Jonsson has announced that only two suitors are now bidding on the Swedish automaker, and GM has said a sale could be announced in a couple weeks. We'd reported earlier that the Saab suitors were Koenigsegg and Renco Group, but it appears there may end up being more serious bidders for the Swedish brand. As of this morning, Automotive News is reporting that a small group of Wyoming investors, Merbanco, is also still in the fray, and if report from the South China Morning Post is to be believed, Beijing Auto could also give China the international automaker it has craved.
GM will reportedly announce its preferred bidder for Saab later this week.
[Sources: Gasgoo; Automotive News | Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoxerFanatic 11:12AM (6/09/2009)
Hopefully, whomever buys it will build something as slick as that AeroX concept, even with normal-ish doors.
There is so much RIGHT with that design. Therefore GM would never have built it for sale. Maybe someone else will.
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Motor_Yakuza 11:16AM (6/09/2009)
NO, give it to Konissssseeeeeegggggg........
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John P. 11:21AM (6/09/2009)
I agree, Koenigsegg we know has a passion for cars and could probably make this work as a viable niche brand with a hugely loyal following.
Joe K. 11:27AM (6/09/2009)
It's Dick Cheney!
Maybe its the appeal of "Made from Jets"....
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inteller 11:48AM (6/09/2009)
hrm, Merbanco maps to a country club address in Wyoming, no idea if Dick Cheney is involved.
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Farmboy 1:52PM (6/09/2009)
They would even copy the names of our States!?! Those bastards.....
But on a more serious note. I am not really surprised here. Chinese have the money and the interest in GM amongst the population. Any company that owns a former GM brand would surely gain quite a few sales, although it would be MUCH MORE popular if GM were to sell one of the brands that they are definitely keeping (i.e. Buick). I wouldn't be surprised if this company won the bid.
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lorincdm 10:51PM (6/09/2009)
I'm for Koenigsegg. They could use the factories to produce their supercars, while using SAAB as a sort of bread-and-butter, semi-luxury brand.
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