Russian Mogul Still Longing for Spyker-Saab

Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov, who was initially involved in the Spyker-Saab deal but was ousted soon after the talks began, said he wants to remain a co-owner of the group and provide Spyker CEO Victor Muller's company Tenaci with loans. He thus hired an investigation group to clear his name and demonstrate GM that his family and the business he runs has no criminal connection, which is one of the reasons that led to GM ousting Antonov from the deal.

"In response to all this noise in the media we have retaliated by hiring a large and globally renowned investigation agency which has former FBI and CIA agents among its employees," Antonov said according to Reuters.

"They are doing a report which will be ready in two to three weeks. The agency is investigating whether the business of (myself) and family has any criminal links and will issue assessments backed by documents in response to all accusations against us. Then we will send the report to all participants of the transaction and to the press," he added.

Antonov emphasized that he's willing to provide loans of around $100 million to Muller's company Tenaci but he's still waiting for a report from the investigation company and thus convince those involved in the business that the secrecy surrounding the Russian backing did not involve criminal links.

"Of course I want (to) but it would all depend on GM," he said. "We can quietly come back to the issue when the investigation agency submits the report and if GM removes its concerns."