SWEDEN: BMW files $2.6m Saab Automobile Parts lawsuit as engine whereabouts a mystery23 August 2012 | By: Simon WarburtonMystery surrounds the whereabouts of engine components supplied by BMW to bankrupt Saab as the German automaker launched a lawsuit against Saab Automobile Parts for EUR2.6m (US$3.3m).BMW has filed the lawsuit in Saab Parts' home town of Nyköping, although the component supplier says it intends to contest the multi-million Euro complaint, insisting it is not liable for the goods as it has not received anything."We received the documents earlier today," Saab Parts CEO, Lennart Stahl, told just-auto from Nyköping "It is likely we will contest the law suit. We have had some informal discussions prior to this - we thought our comments earlier were good enough but apparently not."I don't know where the parts are - we have never got anything from BMW. We are not a sales company and there are no Saabs with BMW engines - I guess they [engines] are in Trollhattan. I guess they are the property of the receivers."In September, 2010, BMW said it had received a "a major order" from Spyker-owned Saab for petrol engines with deliveries starting in 2012.Specifically this covered a 1.6 four cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine for a new Saab model series, although no financial or contract volume details were disclosed.Nyköping District Court confirmed BMW had filed its EUR2.6m lawsuit, but if a preliminary hearing in October or November fails to resolve the matter, it would go forward for further evaluation."It is about delivered goods to different Saab companies," Nyköping District Court chief judge, Magnus Widebeck, told just-auto from Sweden. "The goods have been delivered, that is what is stated by BMW."The problem is Saab Automobile in Trollhattan has been put in bankruptcy and that company cannot be sued for this money, therefore BMW seeks to file against a company not in bankruptcy."The chief judge added Saab Parts had not yet filed its response, but the Court had asked for an answer within three weeks.BMW's engine with start-stop and other measures was designed to reduce emissions as well as fuel consumption and was due to have been assembled at the automaker's Hams Hall engine plant in the UK.BMW earlier told just-auto it could neither "confirm or deny" the lawsuit, with Widebeck adding: "For the time being there will be written communication."© 2012 All content copyright just-auto.com.
SWEDEN: BMW has "no case" claims Saab Automobile Parts as lawsuit pends4 September 2012 | By: Simon WarburtonSaab Automobile Parts insists BMW has "no case" following the German automaker's issue of a lawsuit to the Swedish components supplier.BMW launched its US$3.3m lawsuit in Saab Parts' home town of Nyköping, although the component supplier says it intends to contest the multi-million Euro complaint, insisting it is not liable for the goods as it has not received anything."We are still of the opinion they [BMW] have no case," Saab Automobile Parts CEO, Lennart Stal, told just-auto from Sweden. "We have received the documentation from the legal side from BMW and we are reviewing that."According to Swedish law, we have 21 days...so we now have two weeks to give an answer."Saab Automobile Parts maintains it did not receive anything from BMW following an order the German manufacturer says the Swedish company placed in 2010 for petrol engines to start this year.Specifically this covered a 1.6 four cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine for a new Saab model series, although no financial or contract volume details were disclosed.Nyköping District Court chief judge, Magnus Widebeck, earlier told just-auto: "Goods have been delivered, that is what is stated by BMW."However, the issue could be complicated by the fact Saab Automobile in Trollhattan was in bankruptcy, but was purchased yesterday by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) for an undisclosed sum.The Nyköping judge previously told just-auto given the bankruptcy situation, Saab Automobile could not be sued, but it is unclear whether or not the new ownership structure will change that.BMW in Munich confined itself to noting to just-auto: "We generally don't comment on lawsuits."NEVS was not immediately available for comment.© 2012 All content copyright just-auto.com.
