Stockholm - Troubled Swedish-based carmaker Saab Automobile has not been in direct talks with Italian carmaker Fiat, Saab chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson said Tuesday.

"There are many serious parties that want to take over Saab Automobile," Jonsson told the Sodermanlands Nyheter newspaper.

"We are not in talks with Fiat," he added.

US giant General Motors Corp (GM) earlier this year said it planned to shed Saab. The Swedish carmaker in February filed for bankruptcy protection while it attempts to reorganize its business.

On Monday, the head of Fiat, Sergio Marchionne, visited Berlin and discussed plans to create a new conglomerate including Fiat, US carmaker Chrysler and GM brands including Opel and Vauxhall.

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