Norwegian Saab enthusiast and car designer Bård Eker is eyeing new possibilities in connection with this week’s bankruptcy of Swedish carmaker Saab. At least 10 other interested parties are in contention over Saab’s bankruptcy estate, and another Chinese player may launch a new bid.
Eker, based in Fredrikstad, told newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) that he’s following the drama around Saab. “We have to to hope for the best,” Eker, an industrial designer and motor expert, told DN.
He was involved in an earlier attempt to take over Saab when it was feared to be on the verge of bankruptcy in 2009. Eker has a major stake in the exclusive sports car company Koenigsegg, has supplied Koenigsegg cars to the Norwegian market and been involved in their design. Eker and Koenigsegg had a letter of intent with Saab seller General Motors at the time, but they pulled out when state guarantees were delayed and it proved difficult to arrange financing.
Eker told DN two years ago that the process was expensive, and it ended with the Dutch firm Spyker taking over. Now Eker says there are still “exciting possibilities” for Saab, but he wouldn’t reveal any concrete plans.
“First we have to wait and see what happens,” Eker told DN, agreeing that a bankruptcy sale could contribute to the possibilities.
Views and News staff
