Stockholm  - Saab, the loss-making Swedish subsidiary of US giant General Motors Corp, Thursday said it planned to shed 750 employees from its workforce of about 4,000 in Sweden.

Broadcaster TV4 said 650 of the affected employees were blue- collar workers.

The employees were informed about the plans Thursday.

Saab last month 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.

The carmaker employs some 4,000 people in Sweden, mainly at its plant in Trollhattan in the south-west of the country. However, with subcontractors considered, some 15,000 to 20,000 jobs could be in the balance.

The Swedish government has said it would not take over ownership of Saab.

The US giant'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)