Sources say that GM is ready for Viktor Antonov’s return as Saab shareholder
By Steph, 18 Jan, 2011. 0 Comments
2011 Saab 9-5
General Motors Co. is prepared to allow Russian businessman Viktor Antonov to return as a shareholder of Saab, according to sources cited by Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri. Antonov claims that he was a target of false allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes. He was removed from last year's deal for Dutch sports car maker Spyker to buy Saab from GM. Antonov revealed later that he had gotten the services of private investigators to clear his name.
The sources told the newspaper that GM, which has $326 million of redeemable preference shares in Saab, was now ready to let Antonov back as a shareholder. No confirmation for this report has been received either from Antonov or Saab.
According to the private investigators' report finished last August and which was made on Antonov's behalf, there is no evidence of involvement by him or his Convers group in organized crime or money laundering. The report also found out that Antonov and Convers had not been the subject of investigations in the U.S., Britain or Russia. Spyker is targeting sales of 80,000 Saab cars in 2011 and 120,000 in 2012, which is when it predicts Saab to return to profit. [via autonews - sub. required]
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