Saab Stops Production, Didn't Pay Customs

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

GM’s Saab Automobile has shut down production in Sweden until issues with a supplier and customs are solved, Reuters reports. “We had a problem with a supplier, but that has been solved now,” Saab spokesman Eric Geers said. “Now only the customs remains, and we will solve that.” A Swedish customs official said that after filing for protection from creditors last week, Saab lost a 30-day credit facility with Swedish customs. Saab owes duties for inventories and spare parts located in two customs warehouses, said Hans Ohlsson at Swedish customs. Saab has until March 4 to pay an undisclosed but “considerable” sum of money for the contents of the warehouses, Ohlsson said. In the meantime Geers denied that unpaid customs fees indicated Saab had acute problems in its payments. “No, that is not it at all,” he said. Automobilwoche [sub] says that Swedish customs has prevented deliveries of parts and assembled cars to Trollhättan, because Saab hasn’t paid its duties.

Update: According to Automobilwoche [sub,] the difficulties have been resolved, and production is running again. Also, Jan-Åke Jonsson said that there are “seven to eight serious buyers” who are interested in taking over Saab.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 8 comments
  • Paul W Paul W on Feb 26, 2009

    "Also, Jan-Åke Jonsson said that there are “seven to eight serious buyers” who are interested in taking over Saab." I doubt they can find 7-8 people who are seriously considering buying their cars.

  • Montgomery burns Montgomery burns on Feb 26, 2009

    “seven to eight serious buyers” in normal people speak this means there is no one seriously interested. In the same category as: "we have no plans to downsize this company" "we have no intention of selling this company" made famous by Chrysler before being bought by Daimler. "there's no need to worry, I've done this hundreds of times" "of course we'll be there next week to start your job" and so on

  • Fincar1 Fincar1 on Feb 26, 2009

    Oh, and don't forget RSN, "real soon now."

  • Davekaybsc Davekaybsc on Feb 26, 2009

    Check's in the mail!

Next