• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Mystery Dutch billionaire behind Spyker bid: report

Published: 22 Dec 09 08:46 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Updated: 22 Dec 09 10:48 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23988/20091222/

A Dutch billionaire is the main financier behind Spyker's latest bid for Swedish automaker Saab, reports Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) newspaper, referring to several insider sources.

Neither of Spyker's major owners – Convers Group from Russia and Mubadala, the United Arab Emirates national investment company – are involved in the new bid, according to SvD.

The Dutch luxury sportscar maker had originally given Saab owner General Motors (GM) until 11 pm on Monday to respond to its offer. But several hours before the the appointed hour, Spyker announced that its deadline had been extended indefinitely.

The company confirmed in a statement that it had been in contact with GM during the day on Monday and will continue to work on its offer for the purchase of Saab.

Swedish press reports have suggested that one of the main reasons GM agreed to resume the talks was that the Dutch group had addressed GM's hesitations over Spyker's Russian investors.

Svenska Dagbladet reported Monday that Spyker's main investors with a 29.3 percent stake in the company, Vladimir and Alexander Antonov, were no longer behind the Dutch group's bid for Saab.

And on Tuesday, the paper said Spyker's second-biggest investor, Abu Dhabi state investment fund Mubadala Development, which owns 22.7 percent of Spyker, was not involved in the bid for Saab either.

The paper also said GM had also been concerned about letting technical know-how go to Russia.

"The risks involved with letting Saab's technical know-how go to Russia also played a role," it said.

GM has refused to comment on Spyker's renewed bid.

Swedish media have previously reported that one of the main changes in Spyker's renewed bid is that it has said it does not need a European Investment Bank loan before the end of the year in order to pursue its bid.

GM has said it wants to sell Saab before the end of the year.

TT/AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

09:59 December 22, 2009 by gmaddalo
Whoever is he/she, the most important thing is to save Saab and the employees working for Saab.
10:20 December 22, 2009 by michalino
Hey Sweden wake up. Support the Spykers. They could sometines the smaller comapanies bring the best in work. It isn't important then the company is young without experiences. It's very important the willingness and readiness to do something!!! So you could save the work for your people.
10:27 December 22, 2009 by Trowbridge H. Ford
Sounds like a Bilderberger to me!
11:32 December 22, 2009 by rahpor
Sources in the Netherlands say it's Marcel Boekhoorn, a dutch inverstor earned half a billion selling the Dutch Telfort company to KPN.

Currently estimated at 1,1 biljon in the Dutch Quote500
12:20 December 22, 2009 by ABuB
Help your brothers in times of crisis, otherwise you will have to help them late!! meaning YOU HAVE TO HELP THEM NOW or afterward it will be more DAMAGING than current crisis!!!
12:20 December 22, 2009 by Britswedeguy
Every time a US megacorp takes over a Nordic firm it ends in disaster - are they really that incompetant or is there an alterior motive?
13:00 December 22, 2009 by 2394040
Let's say that Spyker can actually meet all of GM's demands. If GM still refuses to sell SAAB, that can only mean that GM is taking its orders from a much higher authority. It wouldn't be the Swedish or US governments either, although officials of both of those governments are most likely involved.

Who knows? It is after all the Christmas season. Perhaps Santa Claus, in the guise of the New World Order, will grant SAAB's wish.

Although this would be very unusual for them to do so. They are generally totally ruthless in business dealings.

But perhaps their otherwise stone-cold hearts will, on this occasion, respond to the idea of "good will towards men". We can only hope.
13:08 December 22, 2009 by Bleeker
Europe, wake up and support this European project massively. If GM prefers to close down Saab instead of giving it a new chance, the European Union should penalize them.
13:35 December 22, 2009 by texasgubbar
Screw GM, they build crap. If they want to toss Saab into the trash, fine but then dont make conditions on who is allowed to pick up the pieces. If Russians are part of the deal then why not?, the Chinese are buying their Hummer trash.

Saab has been technological leaders in the auto industry since they started (until GM took control). They can do it again. Be a niche carmaker along the lines of Subaru.
16:30 December 22, 2009 by nielsl
Marcel Boekhoorn says there is no way he is behind this deal. Spyker has never been really succesful financially, but I think it could be a great venture, both companies are really edgy when it comes to technologies.
00:59 December 23, 2009 by falcon
If Spyker hasn't finished due diligence, how does the mystery investor know what he is investing in? Is he really committed blindly? Why did they need a rush job on a new investor? Just like Spyker, no transparency.
00:37 December 29, 2009 by Flying Scotsman
If GM do wind down SAAB, someone needs to purchase the brand name, this can be done as it has with Rover in the UK, then when the time is right the holder with the name has the legal right to brand the new production.

Let it sink and start from scratch with the name!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines

EU to probe Sweden's 'economic imbalance'

Sweden is among twelve countries set to be discussed in a report from the EU commission, due to what the European Commission has identified as imbalances in the economy. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

After observing a slight rise in real estate prices after the first month of 2012, Swedish realtors are hoping that this may be the beginning of a positive trend after last year's plummeting prices. READ »

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

40 percent of recruiters are checking potential employee’s social networking pages during the hiring process, a figure which has shot up from last year, according to a recent report. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported a major boost in earnings for 2011 thanks to winning several major contracts, but a drop in orders left investors jittery, sending Saab's stock price down nearly 10 percent. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin, the ex-Swedish hockey great, has made a donation supporting research into children's health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Toronto. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M has been criticized for choosing not to attend a hearing to highlight poor conditions for textile workers in Cambodia, where hundreds of employees at a plant run by the Swedish fashion giant mysteriously passed out in August. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Spanair pulled SAS into the red for 2011, despite improved operating profits, the Scandinavian airline reported on Wednesday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Swedish defence group Saab have announced that it will cut the price on its Gripen fighter jet to secure its Swiss order after a threat by French planemaker Dassault to undercut them. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

A file image of a worker at a Volvo Cars assembly plant

Few Swedes ready to work until they're 75: poll

An overwhelming majority of Swedes disagree with Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's suggestion that workers should be ready to stay on the job until they are 75, a new poll shows. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

More Business & Money

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Find a new job in Sweden now
14/02 Channel Marketing Campaign Manager/Specialist - B2B
SAP
Stockholm
14/02 Quality Manager
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 Production leader
Kornboden Resurs AB
STHM
14/02 Application SW Architects/Developers within Product Development
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 IT Development Graduates
Danske Bank
Copenhagen
14/02 Regulatory Affairs Associate
Poolia AB
Göteborg
14/02 Sales Coordinator
Bureau Veritas S.A. Frankrike Filial
Göteborg
14/02 System developer within Q&A (Java och C) in Mid Sweden
Qwork AB
Karlstad
14/02 UX Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract
Monster
Prague
14/02 Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio
EA DICE
Stockholm

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp