#spyker

After numerous rumors, reports and plenty of speculation, Saab is set to sign a deal with BMW that will see the Swedish automaker get access to BMW technology and parts for future models. It is believed the first such model will include the a Saab small car based on the current MINI Cooper platform.

In what is no doubt a bid to prove the viability of the Saab brand and the stability of its new ownership, Spyker Cars has announced the completion of its purchase of Saab from GM ahead of schedule. The final $24 million payment is due in two weeks time, but Spyker chose to complete the deal early.

In a statement, Spyker also said the funds came from “internal sources” and that no addition debt was taken on in order to complete the deal.

Spyker can now begin the process of returning Saab to profitability, a move that is expected to include expansion into new markets as well as the introduction of new models like the new 9-5, the 9-4X and eventually an all-new 9-3 and the much-discussed 9-2 mini car, that will reportedly run off the current generation MINI platform, using engines from BMW.

In addition, Spyker will sell its Dutch exotic cars at Saab dealerships internationally.

Official press release after the jump:

Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars expects to become a more significant player in the exotic automobile market in the near future, with claims that sales will increase seven-fold over the next two years. In an interview with Business Week, Spyker sales manager Peter van Rooy commented that in 2012 the Dutch automaker expects to sell 250 C8 Ailerons. (The C8 is the newest model in the Spyker lineup, and essentially replaces the C8 Spyder and C8 Lavallette, which are being phased out.) While not a large number on its own, it’s up drastically from the 36 cars delivered lat year. In fact, since the brand was established in 2002, it has sold just 214 vehicles in total. The new C8 Aileron costs roughly $240,000.

Saab/Spyker CEO Victor Muller has confirmed that select Saab dealerships will sell exotic models from the Dutch sports car maker. In an interview with Bloomberg, Muller commented that Spyker will look to expand its dealership network (made mostly of exotic car dealerships like Bentley) from 35 to 60 this year. The plan is to then increase that number to 90 Spyker dealerships worldwide by the end of 2011.

After unceremoniously pulling out of the Canadian market, Saab is preparing a return to Canada for 2011, as it attempts to pull off an unprecedented resurrection of its entire brand. While Saab was under the auspicies of GM (and partnered with other perrenial losers like Saturn and Isuzu) in Canada, this time the now Dutch-owned auto maker will be backed by importer International Fleet Sales, which was responsbile for bringing the Saab 9-7x to Europe and the Middle East.

See, the new 9-5 Aero is one hot piece of Swedish luxury sedan, with just enough Born From Jets / Northern Europe detailing to make us forget most of it is from General Motors. Saab has updated its website with a new configurator that not only lets you play around with color and wheel options (no trim options just yet) — but lets you watch a whack of cool design videos featuring a smartly-dressed man.

General Motors has just announced that the sale of its Swedish Saab unit to Dutch exotic car maker Spyker has been completed. The new company, called Saab Spyker Automobiles, will now begin a new era for Saab, saving thousands of jobs in Sweden and at dealerships in the United States.

Saab Spyker will begin to sell its new 9-5 model in North America this spring, likely in both a 220-hp and 300-hp form. Saab also has plans to begin production of the 9-4X crossover, based on the same platform as the Cadillac SRX, in the near future. A new 9-3 model is scheduled to come to market in 2012.

Official release after the jump:

The sale of Saab to Spyker was delayed due to suspicions that one of the Dutch exotic car maker’s major shareholders had ties to the Russian mafia. According to a recent report by Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri, the Swedish security force Sapo investigated former Spyker shareholder Alexander Antonov and determined that there was “strong suspicion” of ties to organized crime.

With Saab having just been saved by Dutch automaker Spyker, the new Saab Spyker Automobiles company has confirmed that it will deliver a new 9-3 model to market in 2012. The current 9-3 has been in production since 2002, meaning that by the time the third-generation of Saab’s volume seller arrives, the current model will be 10 years old.

General Motors has just announced it has reached an agreement to sell its loss-making Saab division to Dutch exotic car maker Spyker Cars NV. Saab and Spyker will form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles and the deal is expected to be finalized in February pending approval by several regulatory bodies and the Swedish government.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM VP for corporate planning and alliances.“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we’re all happy for the positive outcome.”

The new Saab Spyker Automobiles company is expected to move forward with a plan to bring Saab more up-market, selling fewer vehicles but at higher (and more profitable) pricepoints. No indication has been given as to when Saab will re-start production, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the new 9-5 model (above), which dealers have already taken orders for.

Official release after the jump:

Spyker Cars is expected to announced later today that a deal has been reached to purchase Swedish automaker Saab from General Motors. According to Automotive News, a person close to the ongoing talks between GM and Dutch exotic car maker Spyker has leaked the information.

It’s been said several times before, but GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre today told reporters that the company is shutting down its Swedish Saab unit. “We’re closing down Saab,” he said. “We’re winding it down.”

Later this week General Motors is expected to pronounce on the fate of its loss-making Swedish unit, with a potential purchase by Dutch exotic car maker Spyker still a possibility. In an interview with AOL Autos, Spyker CEO Victor Muller discussed many of his plans to rejuvenate Saab, as well as another plan to sell his company’s high-priced exotics through Saab dealerships.

There are almost too many stories and rumors about Swedish automaker Saab to keep up with, as the latest reports suggest not one but two Dutch billionaires are involved in a new deal that would see Spyker purchase the loss-making division from General Motors.

Those digging the grave for Saab might want to put their shovels down after Spyker Cars has submitted a new proposal to purchase the Swedish automaker from General Motors. On Friday GM announced that a deal could not be reached and said it would begin an orderly wind down for Saab.