In most small countries, word that both of its two flagship car brands were poised to get new Chinese owners would probably cause an outcry.
But in Sweden, yesterday's reaction to word that China's Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Cohad agreed to become an investor in General Motor's Saab barely raised a shrug. This followed close on the heels of news that China's Geely Automobile was the only confirmed bidder for Volvo, which Ford Motor is considering selling.
Asked for her reaction Maud Olofsson, Sweden's enterprise and energy minister, told the Financial Times that the ownership of Saab “is not a business for the Swedish government”.