**Sweden’s Saab is being sold to Dutch luxury carmaker Spyker, General Motors (GM) has confirmed.**GM has been trying to sell Saab since January 2009. Earlier this month, it said it would start to shut down the firm while still looking for a buyer.
Spyker sold 43 cars in 2008, when it posted a loss of $35m (£21m).
US group GM rejected its earlier offer for Saab in December. Saab lost 3bn kronor (£255m; $412m) in 2008, and has not made a profit since 2001.
Shares in Spyker were earlier suspended on the Amsterdam stock exchange, with the Dutch financial market regulator saying the move was “pending [a] press release” from the company.
Its shares were 2.8% higher before the suspension, after having risen more than 60% on Monday.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice-president for corporate planning and alliances.
“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we’re all happy for the positive outcome,” he said.