Spyker says in talks to sell Saab real estate

The Straits Times (Stockholm) - Spyker Cars, the Dutch owner of beleaguered Swedish carmaker Saab, said on Monday it was in talks to sell and then lease back Saab real estate as liquidity problems have halted Saab production. 

'Spyker Cars confirms that it is in discussion with a financial institution on the sale and lease back of Saab Automobile's real estate property,' it said in a statement.

'The outcome of the discussions is still uncertain and subject to the approval of the Swedish National Debt Office,' it said, adding 'further announcements will be made shortly.'

Saab said last week it was suspending car production until further notice as a conflict with suppliers over unpaid bills rendered supply unstable.

Production had been halted three times the previous week, but last week's halt was the first time since Spyker bought Saab in January 2010 that the carmaker was forced to halt production without a set date for starting it up again.

Sweden's National Debt Office has a say in Spyker's business because it guaranteed a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to Saab.