The autoblogosphere is alight: Geely has informed FoMoCo they’re no longer interested in buying Volvo. Turns out that a previous statement that Geely wanted to aquire 100 percent of Volvo PV was a solo play from a CEO of one of Geely Groups’ subsidiary companies, not Geely as a whole. Or was it? The Swedish punditocracy is viewing this one a tactical play from Geely to lower the price, in a “typically Chinese” fashion. Meanwhile, Ford’s adamant that Volvo is getting the old heave-ho. According to di.se, Fords’ Chief Financial Officer said “Die! Volvo! Die!” Skämt. In fact, Lewis Booth said . . .

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This post was supposed to be a report about the Volvo Union turning a cold shoulder towards Geely, seeking to avoid Chinese ownership of their beloved Volvo PV, fearing the same fate as England’s Rover under SAIC. But then news surfaced this morning that the Swedish-led Consortium Jacob AB, who wanted to buy Volvo PV, won’t. According to sources cited by Industry Daily (DI), the Swedes don’t have the financial wherewithal to buy Volvo PV, now that they’ve lost frontman former Volvo Prez Roger Holtback. DI says Roger Holtback switched horses mid-stream, taking a new role as a paid adviser to US venture capitalists eyeing Ford’s sloppy seconds. Holtback will now try to get support from the Swedish unions for a US takeover bid, which includes several other former Ford executives as “advisers.” [ED: that’s supposed to help?]

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I’ve been prowling the autoblogosphere today re: the Saab SAIC deal. Besides the obvious concerns about fear of production and technology moving out of Sweden, comments and speculations are mainly positive. The unions are happy, says Chairman of the United Metalworkers, Paul Åkerlund. “Lovely to be done with this discussion, now its time to look forward.” The Chairman of the union, Annette Hellgren, is similarly copacetic. “There are always question around Chinese owners, as with our neighbor in Gothenburg (Volvo), but with this deal, we don’t have to worry – that feels good.” In their opinion, we’re talking Chinese money, access to the Chinese Market, and no Chinese interference with management or product development. (Minor stake in Koenigsegg Group, remember?) As the old Swedish aphorism says, “Döm ej allt du ser, Tro ej allt du hör, Gör ej allt du kan, Säg ej allt du vet, Förtär ej allt du har, Låt ingen veta vad du har i hjärtat eller pungen.” Make the jump for the translation and more news . . .

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The number two photo enforcement company in the United States has expanded, as its arch-rival faces an internal power struggle and financial difficulties. On wednesday. American Traffic Solutions (ATS) announced that it had acquired the bankrupt photo ticketing company Nestor Traffic Systems for $7.1 million. ATS will take over Nestor’s existing contracts boosting the number of cities and counties in which ATS controls traffic enforcement from 170 to 200. Nestor recently went into receivership after the company’s debt became unsustainable. Despite heavy annual losses, top management at the Rhode Island company continued to enjoy lavish salaries and bonus packages. Nestor’s future came into sharp doubt earlier this year after subcontractors began complaining that the company was not paying for services rendered. ATS will now take over Nestor free of these debts.

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Forbes‘ former GM Kool-Aid drinker, Jerry Flint, has finally cottoned on to the fact that GM is going to hell (and not back). The Ascot-Wearing One sees today’s announcement that the nationalized American automaker is selling its Opel brand to a Canadian-fronted Russian mob as a harbinger of doom. (Substitute the words “yet another” for “a” and you’re there!) “Opel, and the cars made in Britain under the Vauxhall name, account for more than 1 million sales a year, but the operations are more important that the sales. The German unit is the heart of GM’s car engineering, and particularly the creation of front-drive cars and compact-size cars. U.S. models are derived from these cars, such as today’s Chevy Malibu.” Oh, no! No more world-beating Astras? Hang on, isn’t Daewoo engineering GM’s small cars?

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The autoblogosphere is abuzz re: a recently released Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program report stating the obvious: US taxpayers can kiss their $60.5 billion-plus Chrysler and GM Debtor-in-Possession funding goodbye.

Although taxpayers may recover some portion of their investment in Chrysler and GM, it is unlikely they will recover the entire amount. The estimates of loss vary. Treasury estimates that approximately $23 billion of the initial loans made will be subject to “much lower recoveries.” Approximately $5.4 billion of the loans extended to the old Chrysler company are highly unlikely to be recovered. The Congressional Budget Office earlier calculated a subsidy rate of 73 percent for all automotive industry support under TARP and recently raised its estimate of the cost of that assistance by approximately $40 billion over the previous estimate. Because Treasury has not clearly articulated its objectives, it is impossible to know if this prospect, indeed, represents a failure of Treasury‟s strategy.

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In other words, it ain’t gonna happen. If GM was going to sell Opel to the Canadian-fronted Russian consortium, they would have done it. Remember, the German elections are coming. The sale would have pleased the Russians, Germans and Canadians, but since they aren’t going to do it before September 27, it’s a clear indication that GM’s either going to sell Opel to Belgian-based private equity boys RHJ International or . . .  raise some cash, pay off the Germans’ €1.5 billion “bridge loan,” put some more money in the brand’s empty coffers and keep Opel as the US outpost of a nationalized American automaker that provides a host of unloved automobile platforms to moribund GM badge engineers. Automotive News [sub] doesn’t quite make that analysis, but it’s close enough for government work. At least they see the downside . . .

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You don’t have to be a poli sci major to figure-out that the German government wants the Obama administration to strong-arm GM into sell its ailing Opel division to a consortium of Canadians and Russians (Magna, Sberbank and GAZ). The fact that the Germans are talking to the Americans about the deal is proof enough that high-level pressure is the order of the day. In other words, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck doth protest too little. “Speaking at a press conference following the meeting of finance ministers and central bank heads from the Group of 20 largest economies, [Steinbrueck] said his impression is that the U.S. government will leave the decision about Opel with the General Motor’s board of directors,” CNNMoney reports. “And won’t exercise ‘massive influence.'” Just enough influence, then?

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Click to enlarge. For better resolution, head over to mint.com or get younger. [Thanks to Mike B for the link.]

“The other solution is one where I can only say this is something that isn’t playing a role in the negotiations so far.” In other words, Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg ain’t gonna let GM keep Opel. “Germany, which has provided 1.5 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in loans to keep Opel afloat,” Bloomberg reports, in a common-laden style that just begs to be interrupted by attribution, “is pushing GM to accept a bid by a group led by Magna International Inc. Advisers to the U.S. carmaker, which failed to decide on a buyer for Opel at a meeting last month, have recommended the board consider seeking aid from other European governments to retain ownership of Opel, a person familiar with the discussion has said.” Sure, other EU members will rush-in to help GM keep Opel; they’re dying to piss-off the Germans to prop-up the nationalized automaker’s foreign empire. GM’s take?

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China’s recent decisions to allow defaults on commodity future contracts and subsidize raw material imports are seriously messing with the commodities markets, giving voice to paranoia in every sector of the economy. In the auto industry, that means the now-familiar cries from those who worry far too much about the availability of raw materials for battery making. Automotive News [sub] reports that worldwide demand for 15 “rare earth” elements will exceed demand by 40k tons “in the next few years,” raising challenges for the nascent hybrid and battery electric segments.

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The GM Opel saga continues—at least until it doesn’t. Meanwhile, Spiegel is reporting that GM pressured the German government to separate the Russians (OAO Sberbank and automaker GAZ) from the Canadians (Magna) to make an Opel sale more palatable to its owners (the American government). Spiegel’s sources say Germany nixed the request; it had made promises to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about the sanctity (if you want to call it that) of the deal. For those of you who want a little background on this international game of chess, the World Socialist Website has the 411.

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Sweden’s Dagens Industri reports [via Reuters] that Ford is not spoiled for choice when it comes to selling the money pit known as Volvo. Despite speculation about a Swedish group’s offer for the moribund manufacturer, China’s Geely Automotive has submitted the only concrete bid so far. You may recall that FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally began his administration by swearing up, down and sideways that Volvo was not for sale. Last month, The Glass House Gang announced that it was “in discussion” with a “number of interested parties” to ditch their Swedish subdivision. Party of one? As we’ve said before, Volvo would be a coup for Geely—countering America’s distrust of China’s ability to create safe products in a single stroke. While Ford could use the money (and how), dumping Volvo on the PRC would give Geely traction in both China and, eventually, the US of A. What’s a mother to do?

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One place you won’t find news of New GM’s reanimation of Old GM’s family and friends discount: GM’s website. To quote the Corleones, “you gotta be family.” Head to www.gmfamilyfirst.com, as the notification below specifies:

It’s back: GM Employee Discount for Friends

Share your savings all month long. Get your authorization number by September 30, 2009, through the GM Employee Discount for Friends program and share employee pricing with anyone who owns a competitive vehicle. Everything you need is online just go to gmfamilyfirst.com to request your authorization number.

All active salaried GM employees can request two GM Employee Discount for Friends authorization numbers now through September 30, 2009. Plus, your friends can combine employee pricing with most current incentives for an even better deal. PASS IT ON. Help your friends get a great deal on a new vehicle with the GM Employee Discount for Friends today!