GM Mildly Upset with Antonov's Involvement in Saab

Having slammed Russian investor Vladimir Antonov right into the wall last year, when it said it wouldn't sell Swedish manufacturer Saab until no trace of Antonov is found in the deal, American manufacturer GM released a statement in response to the decision of the Swedish National Debt Office (NDO) to allow Antonov to become a Spyker shareholder and get involved in the saving of the brand.

GM said in its statement that it sees Antonov's involvement conditioned by “certain specific actions to be taken by Saab which have not yet been completed, as well as certain formal consents, approvals and waivers which Saab has not yet obtained.”

At this end, the Russian investor is keeping a low profile, avoiding as much as possible getting into a fight with the American giant. Last week, however, Antonov stepped up, in response to the accusation made through various channels by involved parties.

"The past months of speculation around me as an individual investor and my businesses has been exhausting," Antonov was quoted as saying by just-auto.com. "Clearly this has been a disturbing factor for many of my businesses. Finally we have managed to obtain a clean bill of health and we need to move fast forward to secure the cash flow of Saab.”

"I hope all involved parties now further take on their responsibility so we can close all processes fast to secure the future of Saab Automobile."

Antonov has been cleared by the NDO (some say after hiring an investigator to look into the rumors surrounding Antonov) to become a Spyker shareholder and participate in the salvation of the battered brand.