Stockholm - Swedish car maker Saab on Tuesday said it was to trim 701 jobs after concluding talks with unions. Saab Automobile, owned by US giant General Motors Corp, a month ago said it planned to shed 750 employees from its workforce of about 4,000 in Sweden in thewake of the crisis in the car market brought on by tumbling sales.

The agreed cuts were to affect 646 blue collar workers and 55 white collar employees based at its plant in Trollhattan in the south-west of the country, broadcaster TV4 Vast reported.

The affected employees were to leave the company this Friday.

Production was halted during the Easter holiday week, but the company expected it would not need stop-production days during the coming two-weeks.

Saab in February filed for bankruptcy protection while it attempts to reorganize its business. That move came after GM said it planned to shed the brand as part of its restructuring efforts.

Administrator, lawyer Guy Lofalk, who is involved in reorganization a week ago met creditors and announced that Saab's debts totalled some 10.6 billion kronor (1.3 billion dollars), mainly to GM.

According to Lofalk and Saab management some 20 parties have expressed interest in the Swedish car maker.

GM's interest in Saab - one of Europe's smallest car makers - dates back to the early 1990s. The company took full control in 2000. (dpa)