Autoblog

Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Saab, Spyker

What's in a name? Just ask the people at Spyker.

Back in 2010, the small Dutch producer of exotic GTs bought an ailing Saab from General Motors and proceeded to focus all its energies on keeping it afloat. And as if to reflect that shift in focus, changed its name to Swedish Automobile NV - or SWAN for short.

Now that Saab has gone bankrupt, however, the Dutch holding company has officially changed its name back to Spyker. Just what that means, however, when the cars are built in the UK by CPP and the sportscar business was sold last year to North Street Capital, remains to be seen.

Continue reading Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker

Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab loses $107 million in Q1, looking for a Chinese partner

Chris Shunk — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: China, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Automotive News reports that Saab lost $107 million during the first quarter of 2011. The automaker says that it is unlikely to meet its 2011 production target of 80,000 units, which is hardly news when considering that the automaker can't even make vehicles right now. The automaker sold only 9,674 vehicles in the first quarter of this year.

Saab is still looking for funding to jump-start production, and the company is reportedly in talks with three Chinese automakers in hopes of finding a partner. Spyker CEO Victor Muller reportedly said in a statement that Saab is looking for alternatives for funding operations, including "discussions with Chinese car manufacturers." Bloomberg reports that a deal could be made with one of the companies within the next few days.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Saab loses $107 million in Q1, looking for a Chinese partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Spyker sells car unit to coachbuilders CPP

Noah Joseph — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:34:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

Since it opened for business at the turn of the millennium, Spyker Cars has charted an unusual path. Essentially re-inagurating a brand no one had ever heard of in a country not exactly known for automobile production, the Dutch automaker then set about launching its own F1 team. That venture ended up failing, so Spyker pulled another surprise move when it bought Saab from General Motors. And now Spyker is selling its own luxury sportscar business to a British concern.

The sale, it should be stressed, does not include Saab, leaving Spyker ostensibly to run the Swedish automaker without distraction. The buyers, CPP Global Holdings Ltd, is a coachbuilder based in Coventry, England, that has supplied Spyker with the chassis and body panels for all its cars from the beginning, and took over the entire production process of the new C8 Aileron which is just now ramping up.

The transaction has not been finalized, but a memorandum of understanding has been signed at 15 million euros up front and another 17 million over the course of the next six years, which at current conversion rates comes out to a bit over $44m. Official announcement in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Spyker]

Continue reading BREAKING: Spyker sells car unit to coachbuilders CPP

BREAKING: Spyker sells car unit to coachbuilders CPP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spyker confirms talks with BMW after reports that 2012 9-3 will get Bimmer power

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Saab

Spyker Cars has released an official statement confirming that it is in talks with BMW about future component sharing. The rumors surrounding this topic had initially suggested that BMW would lend Saab its Mini Countryman platform to underpin a smaller 9-2 model, but new reports indicate that the larger 9-3 could be the first to benefit from this partnership.

The next-generation Saab 9-3 is expected to launch in 2012. If the Spyker/BMW talks go well, the new 9-3 could be powered by an all-new Bimmer-sourced engine that produces around 220 horsepower, according to Bloomberg. BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies would naturally be used within this new powerplant, and according to the report, we shouldn't rule out the possibility of seeing this mill under the hood of the 9-5 flagship.

Of course, a teardrop-shaped Saab 9-2 is still on the table, with the automaker hoping to launch it by 2014 if it can find a partner. In addition to Countryman underworkings, Saab is reportedly hoping to use some of BMW's small-displacement diesel engines for use in the 9-2, as well. Follow the jump to read the official statement from Spyker after reviewing the Bloomberg report at the link below.

[Sources: Spyker Cars, Bloomberg]

Continue reading Spyker confirms talks with BMW after reports that 2012 9-3 will get Bimmer power

Spyker confirms talks with BMW after reports that 2012 9-3 will get Bimmer power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Spyker posts loss, expects to lose more

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

An accounting rule, among other things, is ostensibly to blame for Spyker posting a loss and having to declare negative shareholder equity with more liabilities than assets. According to Automotive News, the new owner of Saab had counted General Motor's $326 million in redeemable preference shares in the company as equity, not a liability. So with the company having just got its factory going in October and only having sold 10,500 cars in the first six months of this year, the hard numbers are a loss of €139.1 million ($177.2M U.S.) on €243.1 million in sales ($309.8M U.S.).

The good news is that sales for the same period last year, before Saab's plunge into full out cardiac arrest, were €4.1 million ($5.2M USD). The Swedish maker also has €280 million in cash (around $357M) and another €266 million ($339M) untapped from its European Investment Bank loan. Spyker has been saying for a while that profitability would come in 2012 and that it has enough cash and credit to get it there without needing to raise more money.

Its sales projections of 45,000 to 50,000 cars this year, however, might be on some downward pressure. Company CEO Jan Ake Jonsson said that they're still looking to achieve that low number. Next year's forecast and the company's break-even point is understood to remain at 80,000 cars, with 120,000 as the long-term annual sales target.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd | Image: Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty]

Report: Spyker posts loss, expects to lose more originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jay Leno welcomes Spyker C8 Laviolette into his garage

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Spyker, Celebrities, Luxury

Spyker C8 Laviolette joins Jay Leno's Garage - Click above to watch video after the jump

It's the Spyker C8 Laviolette's turn to tour Jay Leno's Garage, and it holds its own under the lights with a Rocket, McLaren F1 and Jay's Ecojet playing character roles in the background.

Leno spends half the 11-minute video crawling all over the 400-horsepower, 2,800-pound C8 with a Spyker sales rep from Galpin Auto Sports, and we learn a unique fact in the process... how many of you knew that the C8's ignition is in the glove compartment? For the rest of the Spyker's secrets and its terrific roar, follow the jump for the video.

Gallery: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno welcomes Spyker C8 Laviolette into his garage

Video: Jay Leno welcomes Spyker C8 Laviolette into his garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avenged Increased Sevenfold: Spyker plans massive sales increase on C7 Aileron?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Spyker, Specialty, Luxury

Spyker Aileron C8 Spyder - click above for high-res image gallery

Here's a shocker - Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker is looking to increase sales of its C8 Aileron to 250 units by 2012. That's a sevenfold increase compared to the meager 36 vehicles the company managed to move in 2009. How will they do it? For starters, production will be moved to CAPP Manufacturing, Ltd. in England, allowing for greater production volume than in the past. So far, Spyker has sold just total of 214 cars since 2002. But the company also plans to make the C8 Aileron more attractive to American buyers by offering the car with a new automatic transmission.

The company is hoping that the new gearbox will make the car comfortable enough for buyers more interested in the vehicle's luxury aspects than its performance credentials. Spyker says that the company received a good bit of demand for an automatic C8 from buyers in the U.S., China, Russia and the Middle East in the past.

News of the expanded sales targets also dovetails nicely with word that Spyker will be selling its wares through select Saab dealerships here in the States. It looks like we can forget about there not being enough of the $240,000 C8 Ailerons to go around.

Gallery: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder

[Source: Automotive News Europe]

~~Avenged~~ Increased Sevenfold: Spyker plans massive sales increase on C7 Aileron? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab officially resumes production, new 9-5 built first, next-gen SportCombi confirmed?

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Spyker

Saab resumes production - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a good day in Trollhättan. After the many ups and downs of the Spyker/Saab sale, production has finally resumed at the automaker's plant in Sweden. To commemorate the occasion, a number of high-ranking officials took positions along the assembly line, including Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhättan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius. The all-new Saab 9-5 was the first vehicle down the line - a good thing, since that hot new sedan is set to go on sale in the very near future and will make its way to the U.S. in the second quarter of this year.

What's more, a key phrase buried in Saab's press release gives us another glimmer of hope - plans seem to be in order for the automaker to produce a SportCombi version of the new 9-5, which we've already seen testing.

"With the introduction of the new 9-5 SportCombi next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant."

Sounds promising, and we'll be sure to update you with more details once we get the official word. In the meantime, click through the gallery below to see shots of the first 9-5 rolling off the line, and hit the jump to read Saab's press release.

Gallery: Saab Resumes Production

[Source: Saab]

Continue reading Saab officially resumes production, new 9-5 built first, next-gen SportCombi confirmed?

Saab officially resumes production, new 9-5 built first, next-gen SportCombi confirmed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally headed for Mille Miglia with Spyker and Saab CEOs at the wheel

Chris Paukert — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Saab

1957 Saab 93 rally car replica - Click above for high-res image gallery

As car guys, we want to see Saab succeed at the hands of its new owners, Spyker Cars. And while the brand faces an uphill battle to reach profitability, its new masters are at least showing signs of understanding the Swedish automaker's rich past. The latest proof? Spyker CEO Victor Muller and Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson will take on Italy's famed Mille Miglia road race in this 1957 Saab 93, a replica of the car that won the Finnish 1,000 Lakes Rally that year.

The 750cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine has been tuned to Group 2 specification, producing 55 horsepower - 22 horsepower more than the standard car. So-equipped, the robust racer is said to be good for 62 miles-per-hour in 13 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph.

While racing in May's historic recreation of the Mille Miglia might not generate much in the way of brand buzz, if nothing else, it strikes us as a nice acknowledgment of the company's past by the keepers of its future. Could there be more than just a history lesson at work here? Late last month, Autocar reported that Saab is proceeding with plans for a new entry-level model, the 9-2, that will reportedly be influenced by Saab's 1950's 'teardrop' design. High-res gallery of live shots from here at the Geneva Motor Show below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally car

[Source: Saab]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally headed for Mille Miglia with Spyker and Saab CEOs at the wheel

Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally headed for Mille Miglia with Spyker and Saab CEOs at the wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finally Final: Saab sale transfer completed between GM and Spyker

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

2011 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After a Mullholland's worth of twists and turns, the sale of Saab Automobile AB to Spyker Cars is complete. The official transfer of ownership from General Motors to the Dutch supercar concern occurred earlier today, and now Saab will get down to the difficult business of becoming profitable.

According to Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars, a man who is fast becoming something of a folk hero in Sweden:

"Through this acquisition we add approximately 15 euros per share in equity and 60 euros of assets. With a well funded business plan in place we are looking forward to working with Saab's management on the realization of that plan and bringing exciting new products to our customers. Real Saabs, Saab Saabs."

With a compelling new 9-5 waiting in the wings and a raft of vehicles (9-3X, 9-4) just around the bend, the Swedish automaker's short-term future looks bright, but even before those new products have run their course, the real battle for sustained profitability will begin, with Saab likely needing to partner with a larger automaker to share development costs for new models.

As it is, the rumormill has been rife with return-to-form scuttlebutt, including the return of a five-door hatchback bodystyle for the next-gen 9-3 and the possibility of a '50s-era teardrop-inspired 9-2 model that would seem to jibe with Muller's "Real Saab, Saab Saabs" comment. Will the promise of such models be enough to see the Griffin rise triumphantly from the ashes? If the build-up to the handover of the brand is any indication, Saab's revival effort is at least going to be one hell of a spectacle. Official statements from both Spyker and GM available after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5

[Sources: Spyker Cars, General Motors]

Continue reading Finally Final: Saab sale transfer completed between GM and Spyker

Finally Final: Saab sale transfer completed between GM and Spyker originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab-Spyker is Go: EIB reportedly approves 400M euro loan, Spyker shareholders agree to Saab purchase

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

Spyker-Saab is reportedly passing "Go" and collecting $547 million while they're at. According to Automotive News, the €400 million loan courtesy of the European Investment Bank (EIB) has received final approval. There's even more good Saab-related news (that almost feels weird to type) - Spyker shareholders have approved the "we're buying Saab" deal. The large loan is especially big news to Holland-based Spyker and Saab's worldwide legion of rabid fans, for it was essentially the last piece of the puzzle standing in the way of - as Reuters of all publications points out - "[combining] two money-losing enterprises."

Now that they have the loan and the shareholders' blessings, Spyker-Saab is looking to get their fledgling company list on both the London and Stockholm stock exchanges. Spyker CEO Victor Muller was asked if listing the company on the two new exchanges would make it easier to raise cash (duh), Muller replied that the end goal was to be "closer to investors." If we were flip, we might modify that to read "closer to investors' wallets," but we'll just leave it alone and hope that all this money goes into making the next 9-3 the very best Swedish hatchback it can be!

One last thing - perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves by referring to the new company as Spyker-Saab. According to the Dutch supercar company's press release today, they have postponed changing their name from Spyker Cars N.V. to Saab Spyker Automobiles pending a trademark discussion with aircraft manufacturer Saab AB. That issue is expected to be resolved at the company's next annual meeting on April 22. Official press release after the jump.

[Sources: Reuters, Spyker, Automotive News - sub. req.]

Continue reading Saab-Spyker is Go: EIB reportedly approves 400M euro loan, Spyker shareholders agree to Saab purchase

Saab-Spyker is Go: EIB reportedly approves 400M euro loan, Spyker shareholders agree to Saab purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Swedish loan guarantee for Saab reportedly wins EU approval

Chris Paukert — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

What is thought to be one of the last remaining hurdles for the acquisition of Saab Automobile by Spyker Cars from General Motors has reportedly been cleared - the Swedish government's endorsement of a pivotal European Investment Bank loan has been okayed by the European Union. Bloomberg indicates that the 400 million-euro ($546 million) loan has gained approval because the loan guarantors have found the necessary collateral and "adequate remuneration." It is understood that the loan is conditional based upon Saab using the capital to develop and produce cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The EIB itself must still approve the loan in order for the transaction to go through, but the endorsement by the EU is expected to make it easier for the Luxemburg-based institution to make that move.

[Sources: Bloomberg, Autocar | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

[Source:

Breaking: Swedish loan guarantee for Saab reportedly wins EU approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: GM reaches agreement to sell Saab to Spyker!

Chris Paukert — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

What a long, strange trip it's been. Every thriller must have an endgame, although whether the guy gets the girl in the end or just plain "gets it" is often in doubt right until the final frame. This afternoon, after a most improbable and tortured saga, General Motors has finally agreed to sell Saab to Spyker Cars.

The tiny Dutch supercar manufacturer and its backers have outlasted all comers, including everyone from Koenigsegg to investment consortium Merbanco to a joint bid by Genii Capital and Formula One mastermind Bernie Ecclestone. More significantly, they've endured GM and its negotiators, submitting and re-submitting a series of bids to finally bring together the winning package.

Complete details of the transaction have yet to be fully disclosed, but it's understood to include Spyker giving GM $74 million up front, along with allowing The General to pocket a further $326 million in preferred shares from the new Spyker-owned entity. The deal requires that the Swedish government agree to guarantee a 400 million-euro loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a step that is expected to be consummated in February.

As part of the agreement, Spyker chairman Vladimir Antonov has agreed to step down, a move reportedly key to GM's interests in keeping its intellectual property sequestered from Russian hands.

With Saab's operations already partially "wound down" from GM's liquidation moves following the collapse of the earlier Koenigsegg deal, it will be interesting to see how quickly Spyker can get the Swedish marque's operations back up to speed, including delivery of the 2011 9-5 sedan, a promising vehicle range that was likely the linchpin holding the whole deal together.

Interestingly, after this protracted and very public battle, Saab may actually have more visibility and consumer goodwill built up than it has in decades. Whether this will translate to additional sales or fall by the wayside remains to be seen. General Motors could also potentially see a bit of public cordiality from seeing this process through, as it will also have proven that it can successfully spin off one of its properties, something that was in doubt after the caving-in of the Saturn sale to Roger Penske and what looks to be an increasingly tenuous sale of its Hummer brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong. Click through to the jump for the official press release from General Motors.

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Sources: General Motors, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM reaches agreement to sell Saab to Spyker!

BREAKING: GM reaches agreement to sell Saab to Spyker! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Spyker last bidder GM considering for Saab... or is it?

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

To paraphrase the once great weekend update anchor Chevy Chase, "Generalissimo Saab is still dead" and appears likely to stay that way. Bloomberg reports that Spyker is the last bidder standing to pick up the Swedish brand from General Motors, although Genii Capital and partner Bernie Eccelstone apparently haven't given up yet. At this point, according to the news service, Spyker is the only party in active talks with The General as the process of shutting down Saab has already begun. Genii hopes to reopen talks with GM this week.

The Spyker bid reportedly includes having GM continue to hold a stake in Saab - a stipulation that the U.S. company will probably be averse to. Another problem could still revolve around handing over intellectual property to Russia, just as it did with the aborted attempt to sell Opel to Magna (the largest shareholder in Spyker is Russian chairman Vladimir Antonov). Given Saab's continued lack of financial success over the years, it's hard to see how Spyker (which has had its own problems to sort through) could make a go of it. With any luck, we'll know the outcome of this sad saga this week, although we'd be less-than-surprised to see things drag on for a while yet.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

Report: Spyker last bidder GM considering for Saab... or is it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids

Chris Paukert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials

According to a press release quoted in Dow Jones Newswires, Stefan Lofven, head of Swedish trade union IF Metall, the board of Saab has voted today to liquidate the company. Simultaneously, General Motors has announced that it has hired AlixPartners to supervise the "orderly wind-down" of the marque.

Interestingly, none of this means that Saab is dead, although certainly neither of these things can be seen as reason for optimism. According to its own statement about AlixPartners (available after the jump), GM continues to evaluate bids for Saab, presumably those from Spyker Cars and Genii Capital/Bernie Ecclestone - if not others as well. To this, Lofven is quoted as remarking that "It is irresponsible of GM in this situation to act in two directions, both towards a sale and towards a wind-down." Irresponsible or no, that appears to be exactly what GM is doing. More as it happens...

[Sources: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal, General Motors | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

Continue reading BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids

BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: GM reportedly delays board meeting as new Swedish bidders emerge for Saab

Chris Paukert — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Saab: A history in pictures - Click above for high-res gallery

Just when we thought the financial soap opera surrounding Saab couldn't get any more convoluted or tortured, it has. Bloomberg is reporting that General Motors has once again delayed a meeting planned for today to determine the Swedish automaker's fate. The gathering will now take place tomorrow, in part because a new bidder has entered the fray, Genii Capital, the private-equity group that purchased Renault's Formula One team just last month. According to the report, Genii intends to make a cash offer for the brand, and it plans to use the business plan of an earlier bidder, Koenigsegg, as a roadmap to getting Saab into the black by 2012 with just 105,000 units per year.

For his part, interim GM chief executive officer Ed Whitacre told reporters yesterday that he isn't optimistic about consummating a sale, remarking that nobody has yet stepped up to offer the necessary funds for Saab: "It's real easy - show up with the money and you can have it." Naturally, such statements might also be designed to increase the size of the bids, and that statement may have come before Whitacre was made aware of Genii entering the fray, but we digress...

Of course, Spyker Cars, the bidder for whom the deadline was originally extended until today, is still very much in the mix, but there are also new rumors of yet another Swedish group making a last-last-minute play for the brand. More as it happens...

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters via The New York Times, SaabsUnited]

BREAKING: GM reportedly delays board meeting as new Swedish bidders emerge for Saab originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab owners gather in wintery Detroit, urge GM to sell brand

Chris Paukert — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Saab

Sell Saab Rally in Detroit - Click above for high-res gallery

Popular wisdom would hold that about the only people willing to show up in sub-zero, slate-gray Detroit for a last-minute rally to advocate for Saab's sale would be stereotypical brand diehards - grizzled old-timers with air-cooled two-strokes and elderly three-doors, not folks piloting General Motors-era models. Interestingly, those in attendance at today's "Sell Saab/Save Saab" demonstration ranged broadly in age from their early twenties on through retirement age, and with the exception of a couple of 1980s 900 models, most of the Saabs were remarkably contemporary (although a good portion of those who showed up professed to owning numerous classic examples at home).

To be fair, we turned up to the meeting point in the shadow of GM's Renaissance Center headquarters this afternoon not expecting a big turnout of either cars or press, as the event was organized just a couple of days earlier by Ryan Enge of SaabHistory.com - and the weather wasn't exactly hospitable, either. As it turns out, we were pleasantly surprised to see a rather small but vibrant group of both. Over a couple of hours, we counted around 50 demonstrators in about 30 Saabs (full disclosure: one of which was AB's own 2001 9-3 Viggen convertible), with devotees venturing in from as far away as Maine, Iowa and Wisconsin, along with plenty of print, radio and television media - both local and international - in attendance. As a demonstration for a brand, the atmosphere was more one of conviviality than consternation and bitterness, a gathering of first-time friends more than an acrimonious protest.

Make the jump for more of the story and check out our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Sell Saab Rally in Detroit

Continue reading Saab owners gather in wintery Detroit, urge GM to sell brand

Saab owners gather in wintery Detroit, urge GM to sell brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Spyker would preserve Saab product plans, could sell own supercars in select dealers

Chris Paukert — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, GM, Saab, Spyker

2006 Saab Aero-X Concept - click above for high-res gallery

In a far-reaching interview with AOL Autos this morning, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller revealed some interesting tidbits about his company's plan for Saab if they can successfully negotiate for its purchase from parent company General Motors.

In a product plan that sounds distinctly like those previously floated by Saab executives in Sweden, the Dutch supercar builder would have Saab rebuild its brand around the 9-3, new-for-2010 9-5, and the 9-4X crossover. An entry-level 9-1 model would not be a consideration, although Muller admits he'd still love to build a production version of 2006's celebrated Aero X concept (shown above). If Saab were to go that route, Spyker's experience in building low-volume supercars would clearly be an asset in bringing it to market.

In news that will surely be welcomed by Saab dealers and customers, Muller says Spyker has decided it would not pursue plans to winnow Saab's U.S. dealer network from 218 showrooms to 137. In fact, the Dutch businessman suggests that it would be reasonable to expect Spyker to sell its own cars within Saab showrooms in the future (they are presently distributed through Bentley and Lamborghini outlets). Down the road, Spyker's supercars could benefit from Saab's all-wheel drive expertise, among other things.

Naturally, all of this future product discussion will be moot if Spyker and its investors can't get GM to hand over the keys to the perennially embattled brand. A newly extended deadline for sales negotiations to be completed was set by GM on Wednesday, and we should know not long after January 7 what fate awaits the brand.

Gallery: Saab Aero-X concept

[Source: AOL Autos]

Report: Spyker would preserve Saab product plans, could sell own supercars in select dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: GM reportedly extends bidding deadline for Saab, production to restart?

Chris Paukert — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST

2010 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

In what would arguably be the first optimistic news for Saab faithful out of General Motors in some time, Reuters is reporting that GM has extended its December 31 bidding deadline for the 60 year-old Swedish marque - a move that will actually trigger the restart of some of the company's production lines next month.

Reuters indicates Spyker Cars' chief executive Victor Muller (head of the company believed to be in the lead position in the bidding war) has let slip that GM has extended the deadline until January 7, and Muller reportedly believes that there are still several parties involved in the bidding process.

Adding credence to Muller's statement is word that Saab spokesman Eric Geers has been quoted as saying that Saab's production lines will fire up on the new 9-5 sedan (above) and the 9-3 convertible: "We have the orders and we have to deliver them as usual. We also have the orders for the 9-3 and others. The factory has to continue again... we are preparing the wind-down process. At the same time we are open to options, to bids that come in. Therefore the deadline has also been dropped."

Looks like industry analysts and Saab loyalists will have to wait until early next year for a conclusion to the sales saga. Will there be cheers and gears in 2010, or jeers and sneers? We're not sure yet, but once the dust settles, we're looking forward to someone chronicling this whole sordid affair in a nice, thick book. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

Gallery: 2010 Saab 9-5

[Source: Reuters]

Breaking: GM reportedly extends bidding deadline for Saab, production to restart? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spyker loses 72.075 million euros in 2007

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, SUV, Supercars, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Spyker C8 Aileron

For such a small manufacturer of specialty vehicles, Spyker hemorrhaged a huge amount of money last year; 72.075 million euros ($113.07 million at current exchange rates), to be exact. Part of this loss was due to the sale of its Formula 1 operations, but their car-selling business managed to cost them a few million more. Money was so tight that the Dutch supercar company only managed to assemble 26 cars last year -- only two in the final quarter, despite the waiting list for their wares.

Good news is on the horizon, though, as Spyker has received a cash-infusion from Snoras Group, a Lithuanian bank (and now the largest shareholder in the company), and is again up-to-speed on automobile production. The long-wheelbase C8 Aileron, along with its new automatic transmission, is scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of this year, while their D8 Peking-to-Paris will follow in 2009. Additionally, their racing team, Spyker Squadron, will continue its GT aspirations, though Formula 1 has obviously been abandoned. So, Spyker fans, look forward to a less-tumultuous year in 2008... we're pretty sure that it couldn't be any worse than the last.

[Source: Spyker (.pdf link) via Automotive News]

Spyker loses 72.075 million euros in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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