General Motors have been sued by Spyker Cars, owner of Saab to the tune of $3bn (£1.9bn).

Spyker, the Dutch sportscar manufacturer has accused GM.N of deliberately obstructing the Swedish group’s deal with an investor, which has led to the company’s bankruptcy.

Saab automobile, the renowned Swedish brand, was forced to cease producing cars in May 2011. Unable to pay employees or suppliers, Saab had been engaged in takeover talks with a Chinese company. In December 2011, Saab finally went bust and Spyker claims this is down to interference on the part of GM.

Spyker alleged that GM, who owned part of Saab, deliberately blocked the talks in order to prevent the Chinese firm from potentially accessing Saab’s technology licenses. GM has stated however, that Spyker’s allegations are “baseless”. In fact, Dave Roman, GM spokesman is adamant that the complaint is completely unsubstantiated, and they have pledged to “vigorously defend the company.”

Chief executive of Spyker, Victor Muller revealed that GM took a public stance despite the fact that there was no situation that called for GM’s consent. He then went on to say that they “had it coming.”

Spyker are determined not to end up going the same way as Saab, and they are seeking compensatory damages to the tune of $3 billion (£1.9billion), not to mention legal fees, punitive damages and interest.

The Dutch carmaker Spyker has given GM 20 days in which to respond to the lawsuit which has been filed in a Michigan court in the US.

Muller advised that they had “abused their position” and that GM.N had been “interfering with a transaction between Saab Automobile, Spyker and Chinese investor Youngman that would have permitted Saab Automobile to restructure and remain a solvent, going concern.”

Muller had been trying to execute a successful rescue deal with Middle Eastern, Russian and Chinese investors for months before GM allegedly blocked it. Among these investors was the Chinese firm Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co Ltd.

Spyker have now secured the necessary financial backing in order to see the lawsuit through to the bitter end.  This backing has come from a third party investor who Muller is unwilling to disclose at present. It was suggested that this third party was a former business partner of Muller, Russian Banker Vladimir Antonov. However, Muller has confirmed that this is not the case.

In 1989, GM purchased a 50% stake and management control of the Swedish brand Saab, and went on to gain complete ownership in 2000. Saab’s sales had dwindled from 133,000 cars in 2006 down to just 27,000 in 2009.

Having already secured bankruptcy protection as the global financial crisis was unfolding, assets were disposed of and this led to the US company selling Saab to Spyker, the Dutch manufacturer of luxury cars. GM was savvy enough to remain as a stakeholder and supplier. In fact, they were the largest supplier of parts and engines.

A Chinese-Swedish investment group bought the assets of Saab, but Spyker and Mr Muller still retain the rights to the Saab brand name, as the Chinese-Swedish investment group have not secured the rights to the legal entity of Saab.

Being in receivership, and therefore unable to make a contribution towards litigation costs, Saab Automobile has entered into an agreement with Spyker. Spyker will bear the costs in return for a “very substantial” share of Saab upon the proceedings being successful.

Saab has 3,000 employees at present in Sweden. Bankruptcy administrators disclosed that the (NEVS) National Electric Vehicle Sweden consortium has been chosen to purchase Saab for a sum that has not yet been disclosed. Muller has stated that this deal is between NEVS and the receivers.