Saab says talking to possible buyers

By Victoria Klesty

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - General Motors Co GM.UL said on Friday it was talking to possible buyers of Saab, four days before a GM board meeting considers whether to attempt to revive a sale process or eliminate the 60-year-old Swedish auto brand.

"We can confirm that we have heard from different investors. We have a close dialogue and close contact with several who have expressed interest in buying Saab Automobile," Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs said.

"It is not so surprising, given that there were 27 parties who were interested (when Saab was initially put up for sale) and 10 who came and looked the company over in April and May."

Gustavs would not give any further information about whom the possible buyers might be or how many potential suitors loss-making Saab had approached since a potential sale to Sweden-based sports car builder Koenigsegg collapsed.

Koenigsegg on Tuesday pulled out of a deal it had been negotiating with GM to buy Saab, blaming the length of time it was taking to finalise the agreement and obtain European Investment Bank loans and loan guarantees.

GM has not been in discussions with any other bidders for Saab and analysts have said they expect the most likely outcome to be closure of the brand.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co, China's No. 10 automaker, had planned to take a stake in Koenigsegg as part of the Saab bid.

A BAIC representative did not have any knowledge of separate talks with GM.