The Dutch luxury sports car maker Spyker Cars says it may be interested in taking over the Swedish concern, Saab.

A spokesman for Spyker confirmed they have approached General Motors, but did not disclose whether a bid had been made.

Following a meeting between representatives of Saab, GM and the Swedish government, the parent company announced that it was giving Saab a one-month respite to find a new owner or face closure. The decision came after niche sports car maker Koenigsegg withdrew its bid for Saab on 24 November. GM said its board would evaluate potential bids between now and the end of December.

Spyker Cars produces about 50 sports cars each year, mainly geared to the US market. Prices start from about 199,000 euros. Its interest in Saab is quite surprising given that it has also embarked on a cost reduction programme. In November, Spyker unveiled plans to move its assembly plant to Coventry, in the United Kingdom, to be nearer its main parts supplier, management claims. The move also involves job losses.

On Tuesday, General Motors' chief executive, Fritz Henderson, abruptly resigned after the board decided the automaker needed to push its restructuring faster under new leadership. At a meeting in Detroit, Mr Henderson was apparently asked to step down after holding the position as CEO for just eight months.

Photos: A Saab and a Spyker (Flickr/gmeurope and Flickr/jonlarge)