Posted on 06/11/2009 3:11:48 PM PDT by WesternCulture
Sporty Swedish car maker Koenigsegg has teamed up with a group of Norwegian investors to buy Saab from General Motors, according to state broadcaster Sveriges Television's news show Rapport.
Koenigsegg has signed a declaration of intent with regard to the purchase, with more detailed negotiations set to continue over the coming months.
The sports car maker, based in Ängelholm in southwest Sweden, has secured the backing of Norwegian investors, according to Rapport.
Koenigsegg has long been named as one of the parties interested in snapping up the ailing Swedish auto giant.
Earlier on Thursday, the Swedish trade ministry indicated that a sale was near when it released a statement to the effect that negotiations could now begin over state guarantees for loans to Saab. The Swedish National Debt Office (Riksgälden) is to act on behalf on the Swedish state in opening loan negotiations with Saab Automobile in order to pave the way for lending from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
"We have always said that when Saab got a new owner Riksgälden would be given the task of negotiating loan guarantees, if such are required. Following today's decision we are well prepared for that," said state secretary Jöran Hägglund in a statement.
Koenigsegg was founded in 1994 by Swede Christian von Koenigsegg, 36.
Once upon a time, this bold entrepreneur was ridiculed for making claims like disposing of a concept that could rival Ferrari and Lamborghini.
I wish him good luck, not only as a fellow countryman, but also as someone who refuses to believe the true spirit of entrepreneurship is a thing of the past.
The history of his company: http://www.worldcarfans.com/2060316.005/a-short-koenigsegg-history
The king’s egg? Is that what it means?
“Seems like “Saab” would be easier to pronounce ... and fit on the name badge on the cars ...
;)
j/k!!”
- I’ve been to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Wales, in a SAAB.
I doubt the locals would’ve been much impressed if the name of our vehicle had happened to be “Koenigsegg”.
Koenigsegg CCX
“The king’s egg? Is that what it means?”
- Let’s forget about ancient German nobility names for a while.
Please allow me to quote a certain YouTube poster (whom he/she ever might be) who wrote:
“I think Koenigsegg simply means “oh no my heads just exploded!””
Yes but the Chinese Commies are going to get Volvo from Ford!
“Yes but the Chinese Commies are going to get Volvo from Ford!”
- Perhaps you’re right, but Volvo Cars is a far more profitable part of Ford than most other ones.
Why saw off a healthy branch of a tree?
Now that would be awful!
“Will they take a check? From Nigeria? I’m expecting $35 million to help a guy out. I just have to give him my checking account number and SSN. Seems honest!”
- I’m not well off, but my mother is (thanks to my grandtaher).
She often receives phone calls from Nigeria, The Bahamas and such places and never fails to give away her credit card numbers and other sorts of information.
Just to have something to whine about.
I love this planet.
Correction:
“grandtaher” = grandfather.
Minor spelling incident perhaps, but my grandfather was a very honorable man, therefore I bother.
Wow. Welsh must be a difficult language.
Only if you try to read it! I was brought up with Welsh being my second language. Hated my Welsh teacher as she was a Welsh Nationalist!
Although an Indo-European language, Welsh is difficult for most speakers of Germanic languages like German, English and Swedish.
I lived in Wales from 9 to 10, (an age most people learn langauges new to them pretty fast), but didn’t pick up any Welsh although I liked a lot of things about Wales and got along well with my classmates (although not my teachers and the headmaster - but in the end, they got what they deserved, believe me:)!)
English was a completely different story.
I recall the surprised expressions on the faces of the other kids on my first day in a British school upon asking me the Swedish words for “tree”, “pen”, “school” etc and finding out they where “träd”, “penna” and “skola” (pronounced less differently from English compared to the spelling).
Great news. I also see that Volvo is now a part owner since they own some shares of Koenigsegg.
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