Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spyker promises B6 Venator Spyder reveal this year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/spyker-promises-b6-venator-spyder-reveal-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/spyker-promises-b6-venator-spyder-reveal-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/spyker-promises-b6-venator-spyder-reveal-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Spyker B6 Venator Concept

Tucked in the middle of a very long business update press release, Spyker has confirmed that it will unveil a topless version of the B6 Venator Concept that we first saw in coupe form at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. A specific launch timeframe has not been given, other than the ultra-vague "later this year," but we'll bet our bottom dollar that the open-top B6 will show its face at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Spyker states that the launch of the B6 marks "the beginning of a new era for the brand, one that will include a significant increase in production." The B6 will go into production in 2014, with the first cars being allocated for Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India. Production of US-spec models will kick off in the fall of 2014.

We don't imagine the specs will change from the coupe, meaning the mid-mounted V6 with 375 horsepower should still be offered in the Spyder. A key factor to the coupe's performance is lightness (the whole package weighs in at just 3,100 pounds), and while we don't imagine the Spyder will be a porker, some sort of folding top mechanism and its associated bracing will no doubt add weight.

We'll keep our ear to the ground for more details before the car's unveiling later this year. For now, scroll down for a full business update in Spyker's press release.

Continue reading Spyker promises B6 Venator Spyder reveal this year

Spyker promises B6 Venator Spyder reveal this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>spykerspyker b6 venatorspyker b6 venator spyderspyker carsvictor mullerThu, 02 May 2013 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20556088/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/spyker-promises-b6-venator-spyder-reveal-this-year/20556088/article-detail.xml 20556088 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker: It's not just about numbers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/spyker-it-s-not-just-about-numbers/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/spyker-it-s-not-just-about-numbers/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/spyker-it-s-not-just-about-numbers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A Compelling Story Counts As Much As Performance

Spyker Victor Muller

Muller believes there's room for small, boutique exotics like Spyker.

Following his ill-fated efforts to save Saab, Victor Muller is again back at Spyker Cars as CEO working hard on a comeback for the Dutch-based maker of exotic cars.

You could say he's a dreamer, but having established Spyker as a credible player in the ultra-exclusive exotic car niche and tempered by his experience at Saab, Muller is also a realist about both the capital requirements and the complexities in building automobiles. As volumes grow, the chance increases that even the littlest mistake can derail the whole enterprise.

Muller believes there's room for small, boutique exotics like Spyker, Pagani and Koenigsegg in a market saturated by supercars from players like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, VW Group's Bugatti and even Lexus with its LF-A.

Matt DeLorenzo is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News and AutoWeek. He has authored books including VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's Modern Concept Cars, and Corvette Dynasty.

Continue reading Spyker: It's not just about numbers

Spyker: It's not just about numbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmatt delorenzoopinionsaabspykervictor mullerFri, 12 Apr 2013 17:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534062/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/spyker-it-s-not-just-about-numbers/20534062/article-detail.xml 20534062 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/victor-muller-of-spyker-cars_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/victor-muller-of-spyker-cars.jpg <![CDATA[Is Spyker's new B6 Venator merely a reskinned Artega GT?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/is-spykers-new-b6-venator-merely-a-reskinned-artega-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/is-spykers-new-b6-venator-merely-a-reskinned-artega-gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/is-spykers-new-b6-venator-merely-a-reskinned-artega-gt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Spyker B6 Venator vs Artega GT - profiile views of both

If you thought the recently unveiled Spyker B6 Venator held a few familiar lines, you aren't alone. The keen-eyed crew at AutoBild noticed the new Swedish sportscar looks an awful lot like the new defunct Artega GT. The German manufacturer went bankrupt last year and may have sold off the GT platform to pay off its debts. Given the fact that the B6 Venator cropped up fairly quickly, critics assumed Spyker grabbed the machine's platform from some outside source rather than build the car's bones in house. Putting two and two together doesn't take a sleuth, but Spyker is remaining tight-lipped about the situation.

Autoblog reached out to Spyker for a comment, but company spokesperson Ali Gogarty simply said, "I apologize that I can't be more help, but at this time it is just too early to comment on any specific details beyond what is in our press release."

That's pretty far from an outright denial, but it's also well short of a confirmation, too. The similarities between the B6 Venator and the Artega GT could be more than just skin deep, however. Both creations make use of a V6 engine mounted amidships, and while Spyker has yet to say where the six-cylinder engine in the B6 hails from, Artega used Volkswagen powerplants.

Is Spyker's new B6 Venator merely a reskinned Artega GT? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artegaartega gtb6 venatorgtspykerspyker b6 venatorMon, 18 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20507753/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/18/is-spykers-new-b6-venator-merely-a-reskinned-artega-gt/20507753/article-detail.xml 20507753 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/venator-v-gt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/venator-v-gt.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker C8 Aileron to come back with supercharged power?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/spyker-c8-aileron-to-come-back-with-supercharged-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/spyker-c8-aileron-to-come-back-with-supercharged-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/spyker-c8-aileron-to-come-back-with-supercharged-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Spyker C8 Aileron

The new B6 Venator wasn't the only vehicle on display at the Spyker booth at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The company still has its C8 Aileron on offer, and Road & Track has word of a potential powerplant upgrade for the long-running machine.

Since its introduction in the year 2000, the C8 has used a 4.2-liter V8 engine sourced from Audi, which, in base form, offers up 400 horsepower. Though it's a great powerpant, that's simply not enough power in this day and age - after all, if a car is going to be called super, it needs to offer more ponies than something as mundane as the Ford Mustang GT.

According to R&T, John Walton, Chief Commercial Officer at Spyker, indicated that a new engine supplier may be in the works. "[The Audi-sourced V8] really hasn't got enough bang for the buck. To be honest, every supercar needs to have something that begins with a '5' today. That's why we're supercharging the car in the future, which will take it to over 500-hp," said Walton.

Assuming Spyker doesn't decide to supercharge Audi's V8 itself, where will that supercharged engine come from? We have no idea, though with legal wrangling still in process it seems a bit unlikely to come from General Motors, although its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 would seemingly make an excellent choice.

On the other hand, if GM's engine is the best option available, Spyker could potentially buy complete supercharged crate engines directly from GM Performance Parts in either 556- (LSA) or 638-horsepower (LS9) iterations, and it probably doesn't need explicit approval to do so. In any case, we're just postulating. Only time will tell what, if any, new engine Spyker will bestow upon its C8 Aileron.

Spyker C8 Aileron to come back with supercharged power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi 4.2c8c8 aileronspykerspyker superchargedFri, 08 Mar 2013 09:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20493841/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/spyker-c8-aileron-to-come-back-with-supercharged-power/20493841/article-detail.xml 20493841 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-c8-aileron-front_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-c8-aileron-front.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker B6 Venator Concept shows the brand still has a beating heart]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Spyker looks keen to shake off the dust of the Saab implosion. The Dutch supercar-maker unveiled the new B6 Venator Concept today at the Geneva Motor Show, saying the mid-engine coupe marks the beginning of the brand's revival.

Penned by Spyker CEO Victor Muller, the B6 is designed to pay homage to Spyker's past with a V-Shaped mesh grille inspired by vintage models like the 60HP, though the concept also pulls a few tricks from the company's aircraft lineage as well.

With a wraparound canopy, LED tail lamps designed to look like the burners of a jet engine and 19-inch "Turbofan" wheels, the model is reaching to draw parallels between itself and the aviation industry.

Thrust comes from a relatively modest 375-horsepower V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. While that number may seem low for an ultra-exclusive two-seater, the B6 Venator benefits from a light-weight construction. Every last body panel on the concept is hewn from carbon fiber stretched over an aluminum chassis. Spyker says the vehicle should tip the scales at under 3,100 pounds.

Interested parties will be able to purchase a production B6 in early 2014, if you live in key markets like Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. For American customers, your wait extends to late 2014. While official pricing wasn't given, Muller did mention that he'll be asking somewhere in the $125,000 to $150,000 range.

Continue reading Spyker B6 Venator Concept shows the brand still has a beating heart

Spyker B6 Venator Concept shows the brand still has a beating heart originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b6b6 venatorconceptgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showspykerspyker b6 venator conceptvenatorvenator conceptTue, 05 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20488720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-2013/20488720/article-detail.xml 20488720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-1362500954-1362501266_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-b6-venator-concept-geneva-1362500954-1362501266.jpg <![CDATA[Is this the Spyker B6 Venator Concept?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/is-this-the-spyker-b6-venator-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/is-this-the-spyker-b6-venator-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/is-this-the-spyker-b6-venator-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Spyker B6 Venator

The car you see above may in fact be the Spyker B6 Venator Concept that's headed for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show early next week. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, which included this image, the car will use a mid-mounted 375-horsepower V6 engine and is about the size of the Porsche Boxster.

With a weight of just 3,080 pounds, though, those ponies are moving just 8.21 pounds apiece, which puts the B6 Venator in a dead power-to-weight heat with the 911 Carerra. That said, Spyker's Victor Muller tells WSJ that this will not be a "Porsche killer."

So, what underpins the new Spyker? WSJ points out that the car's specifications are very close to those of the Lotus Evora S, and we know that the British boutique automaker is happy to lend engineering support where it's necessary. We don't know for sure what the B6 Venator is based on, but Muller reportedly pegged his role in the process as "designer." In any case, we're sure the B6 will have all the aero-inspired detailing of past Spyker models. It will reportedly be priced between 125,000 and 150,000 euros, with production "in the hundreds."

WSJ also says we are to expect a P2P (Peking-to-Paris) super-sport-utility vehicle based on Saab's unused Phoenix architecture with financial backing from China's Youngman, as we've previously heard.

Is this the Spyker B6 Venator Concept? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b6b6 venatorgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showspykerspyker b6 venator conceptSat, 02 Mar 2013 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20486031/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/02/is-this-the-spyker-b6-venator-concept/20486031/article-detail.xml 20486031 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-b6-venato_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/spyker-b6-venato.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker vows return to Geneva Motor Show with B6 concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/spyker-vows-return-to-geneva-motor-show-with-b6-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/spyker-vows-return-to-geneva-motor-show-with-b6-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/19/spyker-vows-return-to-geneva-motor-show-with-b6-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Nearly lost in the ongoing soap opera that was the Saab deathbed saga is that former CEO Victor Muller's other carmaking operation, Spyker, nearly got flushed down the drain with the Trollhättan patient. But a lot of work has been going on under the hood to resurrect the boutique high-end sportscar manufacturer as of late, and there may yet be light at the end of the tunnel. According to a brief news announcement this morning, Spyker plans to show a new concept car at the Geneva Motor Show, an expo it hasn't attended in two years.

We're not yet sure what the car will look like beyond the outline above, but we're guessing a cash-strapped company like Spyker can't really afford to build a pure concept car without some underlying production intent (it doesn't have a history of doing so, anyway). Thus, it's possible the B6 Concept, as the vehicle is known, could be the company's rumored Porsche 911 fighter, or it might be something else based on Saab's Phoenix platform, which the company still seems to have some level of rights to. There's an outside chance it could be the long-promised production version of the D8 Peking to Paris utility vehicle, but the teaser outline doesn't look right. If the whispers of a Porsche rival are correct, look for a car that's smaller than the C8 Aileron with a lower price tag aimed at helping nurse the company back to health through higher sales volumes.

Continue reading Spyker vows return to Geneva Motor Show with B6 concept

Spyker vows return to Geneva Motor Show with B6 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b6genevageneva 2013geneva motor showspykerspyker b6 conceptspyker conceptTue, 19 Feb 2013 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20467417/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/19/spyker-vows-return-to-geneva-motor-show-with-b6-concept/20467417/article-detail.xml 20467417 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/spykeroutline_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/spykeroutline.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker looking to get back on its feet with 911-fighter?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/spyker-looking-to-get-back-on-its-feet-with-911-fighter/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/spyker-looking-to-get-back-on-its-feet-with-911-fighter/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/spyker-looking-to-get-back-on-its-feet-with-911-fighter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Spyker Emblem

Word has it Spyker is headed to this year's Geneva Motor Show with a new model designed to compete against the Porsche 911. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports the automaker is prepared to reveal a new model with a smaller footprint and price tag than the current C8 Aileron. Details are otherwise hard to come by at the moment, but we imagine Spyker is keen to shake off the dust of the Saab implosion and push forward. Spyker CEO Victor Muller, while speaking with De Telegraaf, said only the new model "will surprise you."

Spyker has been noticeably absent from the Geneva Motor Show for the past two years, thanks in part to its attempts to keep Saab afloat. Those efforts eventually failed, leaving the Swedish automaker in bankruptcy. Still, we'll be interested to see what Spyker has in store for visitors to the Geneva Motor Show. Stay tuned for our live coverage from the floor when press days kick off on March 5.

Spyker looking to get back on its feet with 911-fighter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 geneva motor showgenevageneva motor showporsche 911spykervictor mullerFri, 01 Feb 2013 18:47:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446072/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/spyker-looking-to-get-back-on-its-feet-with-911-fighter/20446072/article-detail.xml 20446072 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/spyker-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/spyker-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Saab's Phoenix platform to get second life with Spyker/Youngman deal?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/saabs-phoenix-platform-to-get-second-life-with-spyker-youngman/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/saabs-phoenix-platform-to-get-second-life-with-spyker-youngman/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/saabs-phoenix-platform-to-get-second-life-with-spyker-youngman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Who knew that Jay Z was talking about Spyker founder and CEO Victor Muller when he sang, "I'm a hustla, baby, I just want you to know, it ain't where I been but where I'm 'bout to go..." The visionary Dutchman has concluded a deal with with Youngman - a partner since the whirlwind days of Saab - to inject money into Spyker, build cars off the Phoenix platform intended for Saab, and resurrect the D8 Peking to Paris SUV and potentially other SUVs. The deal was conditionally announced a few months ago.

The multipart deal begins with Youngman investing ten million euros into Spyker. Seven million of that will be used to purchase no more than 29.9 percent of Spyker shares, the other three million will be an open-ended loan with options for repayment mechanisms. Youngman has already handed over 2.3 million euros of the amount, the rest is expected by the end of January 2013.

Next up is a joint venture called Spyker P2P, of which Spyker will control 25 percent and Youngman the rest. The Chinese company is throwing another 25 million euros into the JV, Spyker is providing not cash but "the technology it developed for the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris," the $250,000 SSUV. Spyker P2P wants to launch the perpetually stillborn D8 by the end of 2014 and will then consider other models on its platform, and the continued development of the C8 Aileron is also a factor in future plans.

After that comes the Spyker Phoenix joint venture, in which Spyker has a 20-percent stake and Youngman the rest. Youngman owns the license to the Phoenix platform that was meant to support new Saabs and this JV will build "a full range of premium car models" on it, at higher price points than the planned Saabs, and possibly built in Europe and China.

The final joint venture is Spyker Trademark Company, Youngman again a majority owner with a 75 percent share and Spyker the remainder. This JV gives all of the other JVs the rights to use the Spyker trademark.

Assuming the due diligence passes muster and the legal authorities consent, Youngman will possess the authority to nominate a third of both Spyker's management and supervisory boards, and Spyker and Youngman will be putting all their technology and resources into each others' hands. There's a press release below with all the finance-heavy details.

Continue reading Saab's Phoenix platform to get second life with Spyker/Youngman deal?

Saab's Phoenix platform to get second life with Spyker/Youngman deal? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d8d8 p2pd8 peking to paris ssuvphoenixsaabsaab phoenixspykerspyker phoenixspyker youngmanyoungmanMon, 10 Dec 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20397906/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/10/saabs-phoenix-platform-to-get-second-life-with-spyker-youngman/20397906/article-detail.xml 20397906 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/spykeryoungmanphx_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/spykeryoungmanphx.jpg <![CDATA[GM denies Spyker claims in $3B Saab lawsuit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/gm-denies-spyker-claims-in-3b-saab-lawsuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/gm-denies-spyker-claims-in-3b-saab-lawsuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/gm-denies-spyker-claims-in-3b-saab-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GMReuters reports General Motors has dismissed claims by Spyker outlined in a $3 billion lawsuit. Spyker alleged GM deliberately bankrupted Saab by preventing a deal with Chinese investor Zhejiang Youngman Lotus. GM, meanwhile, filed a response with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan saying that as the former owner of Saab, GM had the legal right to approve the deal with Youngman. But Spyker's lawsuit claimed GM's refusal to approve the deal with Youngman stemmed from the fact that the American automaker didn't want to create a competitor in China.

GM has said the issue stemmed more from the fact that it would stop licensing its technology to Saab or stop building vehicles for the manufacturer in the event it was bought by Youngman. Since Saab built its own platform that didn't use any GM tech, Spyker says that argument is meritless.

The lawsuit has Spyker seeking $3 billion in compensatory damages, though that number could swell with interest, punitive damages and legal fees, as well. Victor Muller, Spyker chief executive, has said the lawsuit is being funded by an anonymous third party. That party will share in any settlement. Youngman has refused to comment on whether or not it's footing the legal bill.

GM denies Spyker claims in $3B Saab lawsuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmlawsuitsaabspykerspyker lawsuityoungmanTue, 02 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20338162/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/02/gm-denies-spyker-claims-in-3b-saab-lawsuit/20338162/article-detail.xml 20338162 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/gm-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/gm-250.jpg <![CDATA[NEVS completes Saab purchase, earns right to brand name but not griffin badge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab griffin emblem

According to the Associated Press, a Hong Kong-based concern is close to building new Saab models. After some delays, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) has completed the purchase of bankrupt Swedish automaker Saab.

NEVS says it plans to debut an electric vehicle in about 18 months. When the car comes to market, it will wear the Saab name, but not the marque's well-known griffin logo. Reuters reports that the company will produce EVs based on the Saab 9-3 platform, with intentions to sell these vehicles primarily in the Chinese market. Due to the continued use of the distinctive griffin head logo by commercial truckmaker Scania and the Saab aerospace group, NEVS was only granted access to the Saab name, not its emblem.

At the moment, it is unclear if the 9-3 architecture to which NEVS is referring is that of the now-defunct model or the new Phoenix architecture whose rights were recently purchased by Chinese automaker Youngman from previous Saab owner Spyker.

NEVS completes Saab purchase, earns right to brand name but not griffin badge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3griffinnational electric vehicle swedennevssaabsaab dealsaab evspykerMon, 03 Sep 2012 14:12:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315173/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/20315173/article-detail.xml 20315173 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/saab-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/saab-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker and Youngman sign deal, plan to build D8 SUV and Phoenix-based range]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/spyker-and-youngman-sign-deal-plan-to-build-d8-suv-and-phoenix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/spyker-and-youngman-sign-deal-plan-to-build-d8-suv-and-phoenix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/spyker-and-youngman-sign-deal-plan-to-build-d8-suv-and-phoenix/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Spyker SSUV concept - studio view - front three-quarter view

It appears Spyker is strengthen its ties and carmaking ability with Chinese carmaker Youngman. This comes in the wake of the brand's latest dealings with a $3 billion lawsuit against General Motors regarding the demise of Saab.

Youngman is reportedly investing €10,000,000 ($12.5M USD) for a 29.9-percent stake in the company. The shares are being sold for €0.05 (6.3 cents) each, representing a fully diluted share. Youngman has said it will not take on more than the 29.9-percent stake.

Additionally, Youngman will invest €25,000,000 ($31M) for the development of an all-new Spyker vehicle, called the D8 P2P, named for the Peking-to-Paris rally. The vehicle had been shown as a concept by Spyker previously, but things had been quiet since then. It appears Spyker will now build the uniquely styled D8 Concept shown above. The vehicle is to launch at the end of 2014 and carry a price of $250,000 per vehicle.

It also appears a second car range will be built, based on the Phoenix platform. Though Saab may have, for all intents and purposes, gone under, Spyker has transferred the licensing rights of the Phoenix platform (the architecture that was to underpin the next 9-3) to... itself. According to Youngman's CEO Pang Qingnian, "We have felt all along that a cooperation with Spyker had to be pursued, even after we both unjustifiably lost the opportunity to restructure Saab," he continued, "with this agreement, many of our original intentions with the Saab brand will take shape."

So while we continue to see the developments of Spyker's relationship with the Chinese automaker, it will be interesting to see just what vehicles develop under this deal - both for the Spyker brand as well as for Youngman.

Spyker and Youngman sign deal, plan to build D8 SUV and Phoenix-based range originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d8 p2ppeking to parissaabsaab phoenixspykerspyker d8spyker d8 p2pspyker d8 peking to parisyoungmanMon, 27 Aug 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20309709/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/27/spyker-and-youngman-sign-deal-plan-to-build-d8-suv-and-phoenix/20309709/article-detail.xml 20309709 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/spykerd12large-630op_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/spykerd12large-630op.jpeg <![CDATA[GM granted 30-day extension on Spyker's Saab-related lawsuit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/gm-granted-30-day-extension-on-spykers-saab-related-lawsuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/gm-granted-30-day-extension-on-spykers-saab-related-lawsuit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/27/gm-granted-30-day-extension-on-spykers-saab-related-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



General Motors has asked for more time to reply to the lawsuit brought by Spyker over the Saab affair, and Spyker has agreed to extend the deadline one month until September 28. A quick refresh: Spyker has accused GM of tortious interference in Saab's dealings with the Chinese investors that might have been able to save the company, and intentionally and unlawfully driving Saab into bankruptcy.

The Dutch sports car maker is seeking $3 billion in damages, that number being its putative valuation of Saab had it worked out a deal with Chinese investor Youngman. GM's position is still that the lawsuit has no merit. You'll find Spyker's press release about the extension below.

Continue reading GM granted 30-day extension on Spyker's Saab-related lawsuit

GM granted 30-day extension on Spyker's Saab-related lawsuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmlawsuitsaabsaab bankruptcysaab lawsuitsaab salespykervictor mulleryoungmanMon, 27 Aug 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20309003/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/27/gm-granted-30-day-extension-on-spykers-saab-related-lawsuit/20309003/article-detail.xml 20309003 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-and-gm-dealer-signs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-and-gm-dealer-signs.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker files $3 billion lawsuit against General Motors over Saab's demise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/spyker-files-3-billion-lawsuit-against-general-motors-over-saab/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/spyker-files-3-billion-lawsuit-against-general-motors-over-saab/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/spyker-files-3-billion-lawsuit-against-general-motors-over-saab/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Victor Muller of Spyker Cars in front of his building

"Smack." That's the sound of Spyker's process server dropping a big ol' pile of legal documents on the doorstep of The Renaissance Center, home of General Motors - or wherever GM's attorneys live during business hours. Contained therein is a Complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and demanding a jury trial, that seeks $3 billion in damages due to "the unlawful actions GM took to avoid competition with Saab Automobile in the Chinese market." Spyker accuses GM of "tortiously interfering" with Saab's business relationship with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile (Youngman), actions that Spyker CEO Victor Muller (above) said "deliberately drove Saab Automobile into bankruptcy."

(From Wikipedia: "Tortious interference, also known as intentional interference with contractual relations, in the common law of torts, occurs when a person intentionally damages the plaintiff's contractual or other business relationships.")

The interference in question specifically refers to the very last potential deal, called the Framework Agreement, that Spyker worked out with Youngman. With lots of GM engineering embedded into the 9-4X and 9-5, The General had the right to approve any Saab partnership that would involve the transfer of GM intellectual property. Spyker had been rebuffed over every previous deal with a Chinese firm, including two bids by Youngman, due to GM concerns over its IP getting into Chinese hands and having to face Chinese-market competitors using its technology. The Complaint alleges that the Framework Agreement would have put a firewall around all GM IP - Youngman would only work on Saab's Phoenix platform, said to be just about free of GM tech, and would have no access to 9-3, 9-4X or 9-5 technology until after Saab ceased all ties to GM.

Thoretically, as stated in the Complant, this should have spared Saab the need to even ask GM for permission to make the deal outlined in the Framework Agreement since it didn't involve any transfer of GM technology. GM felt differently and repeatedly, publicly proclaimed that the Framework Agreement couldn't proceed without GM's say-so, which GM would not give, and that led to Youngman walking away. It is those public proclamations by GM that Spyker alleges as tortious interference. That's the basics, but there's a lot more to be discovered in the 27-page Complaint, which can be found here.

Muller said they've been working on preparing the lawsuit since bankruptcy was declared last year, and with a view to a lengthy and heinously expensive court battle, Muller's golden touch with securing money has come through yet again: a third party has furnished Spyker with the "backing required to see the lawsuit through to the end." There's a press release below announcing the move, otherwise known as "the first shot."

Continue reading Spyker files $3 billion lawsuit against General Motors over Saab's demise

Spyker files $3 billion lawsuit against General Motors over Saab's demise originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmlawsuitsaabsaab bankruptcysaab lawsuitsaab salespykervictor mulleryoungmanMon, 06 Aug 2012 10:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20293974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/spyker-files-3-billion-lawsuit-against-general-motors-over-saab/20293974/article-detail.xml 20293974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/victor-muller-of-spyker-cars_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/victor-muller-of-spyker-cars.jpg <![CDATA[China's Youngman bails on Saab, Mahindra still in the mix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/chinas-youngman-bails-on-saab-mahindra-still-in-the-mix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/chinas-youngman-bails-on-saab-mahindra-still-in-the-mix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/chinas-youngman-bails-on-saab-mahindra-still-in-the-mix/#commentsFiled under: ,



Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile has been jettisoned from the dwindling pool of bidders for Saab after tendering an offer of $492 million for the whole kaboodle. Exact reasons weren't given for Youngman leaving the table, but according to a report in Autoweek.nl, "Chinese bureaucracy" was partially to blame and there apparently wasn't complete confidence in the Chinese company's finances.

Reports say the bidding is meant to close in the next week, but we still don't know who all the bidders are - India's Mahindra & Mahindra, China's Geely/Volvo and at least one as-yet-unknown entity are after the whole company or select assets. Swedish media was hinting at another bidder with electric car knowledge, not from China, to take control of Saab. And if that same Autoweek.nl story is correct, Spyker's Victor Muller didn't leave the premises empty-handed, as "Spyker would be the licensing agent of the Saab 9-5 and continue to be paid for its use."

China's Youngman bails on Saab, Mahindra still in the mix originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-5chinamahindrasaabsaab 9-5saab automobilessaab bankruptsaab bankruptcysaab bidspykeryoungmanyoungman saab bidWed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243411/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/chinas-youngman-bails-on-saab-mahindra-still-in-the-mix/20243411/article-detail.xml 20243411 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/youngmannosaab_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/youngmannosaab.jpg <![CDATA[Muller looking to reboot Spyker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/muller-looking-to-reboot-spyker/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/muller-looking-to-reboot-spyker/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/muller-looking-to-reboot-spyker/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris crossover - front three-quarter view

Victor Muller's on-again, off-again love affair with Spyker seems to be back on track. During the executive's fling with Saab, Spyker was up for sale to the highest bidder. No one stepped forward to take the exotic Dutch luxury manufacturer off of Muller's hands, which has apparently turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now that Saab has collapsed into bankruptcy, Muller has renamed Swedish Automobile Spyker once again. With the goal of running an international car company all but faded, Muller is expected to return his attention to building up Spyker.

According to reports, the executive aims to push Spyker to produce 1,000 units a year and introduce a handful of new models. Those include the D12 Peking-To-Paris Concept seen above, a model first unveiled in 2006. Of course, that plan hinges on securing investors for the company. Spyker needs around $32 million to get production up and running again, and Muller is currently courting a number of potential funding sources.

Not surprisingly, investors are a bit skittish after the executive's failed attempts at both Formula One and Saab.

Muller looking to reboot Spyker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d12d12 peking-to-parisspykerspyker d12spyker d12 suvvictor mullerThu, 19 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20219228/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/muller-looking-to-reboot-spyker/20219228/article-detail.xml 20219228 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/spyker_d12_large-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/spyker_d12_large-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/swedish-automobile-changes-name-back-to-spyker/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/swedish-automobile-changes-name-back-to-spyker/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/swedish-automobile-changes-name-back-to-spyker/#commentsFiled under: ,

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cppnorth street capitalsaabspykerspyker carsswanswedish automobile nvThu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213413/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/swedish-automobile-changes-name-back-to-spyker/20213413/article-detail.xml 20213413 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/spyker-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/spyker-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker considers closure as Saab parent Swedish Auto loses board members]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/spyker-considers-closure-as-saab-parent-swedish-auto-loses-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/spyker-considers-closure-as-saab-parent-swedish-auto-loses-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/spyker-considers-closure-as-saab-parent-swedish-auto-loses-board/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Spyker emblem being placed on car

Swedish Automobile NV ('Swan') continues to look to sell Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker in the wake of the Saab bankruptcy. Swan said it will carry on with the sale despite the fact that the company's supervisory board has just abandoned the crippled enterprise. According to The Washington Post, Swan announced it had begun negotiations to sell Spyker last September to a private equity firm for $41 million. Now the company says proceeds from that sale won't be enough to ensure that Swan can meet its liabilities. If the company can't complete the sale or find extra funding, Swan may go belly up and take Spyker with it.

All three members of the Swan supervisory board resigned due to a "difference of opinion" with the company's CEO, Victor Muller over funding alternatives. Shares in the automaker have since plummeted by around 12 percent. The company's articles of association allow for the holder of a single priority share in the company to name new board members. In this case, that holder is believed to be controversial Russian tycoon Vladimir Antonov.

Click past the break for two press releases on the recent changes at Swan.

Continue reading Spyker considers closure as Saab parent Swedish Auto loses board members

Spyker considers closure as Saab parent Swedish Auto loses board members originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>saabsaab bankruptcyspykerswanswedish automobileswedish automobile nvvictor mullervladimir antonovWed, 18 Jan 2012 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20151147/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/18/spyker-considers-closure-as-saab-parent-swedish-auto-loses-board/20151147/article-detail.xml 20151147 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/spyker-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/spyker-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Swedish Automobile may be forced to liquidate even if Saab sale goes through]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/12/swedish-automobile-may-be-forced-to-liquidate-even-if-saab-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/12/swedish-automobile-may-be-forced-to-liquidate-even-if-saab-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/12/swedish-automobile-may-be-forced-to-liquidate-even-if-saab-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

saab logoSwedish Automobile just can't seem to catch a break. Its main brand, Saab, has received government protection from creditors, looked for loans and even secured a tentative deal with Chinese automakers, but even if it manages sell the Griffin marque, Swedish Automobile may still end up getting liquidated.

Bloomberg reports that Saab parent Swedish Automobile's many dealings would raise 132 million euros ($181 million U.S.) - if everything goes according to plan. That's a big if, and it still doesn't outweigh the 136.5 million euros ($188M) that Swedish Automobile reportedly owes its creditors. According to Bloomberg, that could mean that the company may liquidate regardless of whether or not the sale to Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. goes through.

According to the report, Swedish Automobile could get through the sale without liquidation if it can wrap up the sale of Spyker. Private equity firm North Street Capital LP has tentatively agreed to purchase Spyker for 32 million euros ($43 million U.S.). That sounds like a done deal, but given the company's recent fortunes, we wouldn't necessarily count on all going according to plan.

Swedish Automobile may be forced to liquidate even if Saab sale goes through originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>liquidationpang dasaabspykerswanswedish automobileyoungmanSat, 12 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20104812/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/12/swedish-automobile-may-be-forced-to-liquidate-even-if-saab-sale/20104812/article-detail.xml 20104812 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/saab-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/saab-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Spyker sold to U.S. private equity firm]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/spyker-sold-to-private-equity-firm/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/spyker-sold-to-private-equity-firm/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/spyker-sold-to-private-equity-firm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



According to a report by the Financial Times, Spyker Cars has been offloaded to a Connecticut-based private equity firm after a deal to sell the supercar manufacturer to another set of investors failed a few months back.

North Street Capital, LP is the supposed new owner of Spyker, which Saab had been attempting to sell earlier this year. Negotiations were originally being hashed out between Saab and a partnership between a British and Russian consortium and Vladimir Antonov, which just recently announced plans to build a modern interpretation of the Jensen Interceptor.

As of today (9/28/2011), the terms of the deal haven't been released by either Saab or North Street Capital. Clearly though, considering how cash-strapped the company is, Saab is in desperate need of a funding infusion. We'll update this post with more details as they become available.

Spyker sold to U.S. private equity firm originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnorth street capitalsaabspykerswedish autoWed, 28 Sep 2011 16:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20069029/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/28/spyker-sold-to-private-equity-firm/20069029/article-detail.xml 20069029 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/09spyker1jb0896-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/09spyker1jb0896-628.jpg -1 2