Saab is planning on letting buyers watch their cars get assembled at their Swedish plant via a webcam link, as the company seeks to move back to a more personalized buying process.

Buyers will be encouraged to have their cars custom built, rather than picking from the dealer’s existing inventory. Buyers will be alerted to significant moments of the assembly process, and can then watch footage of the car’s build. Customers will also be able to collect their car from the company’s factory in Trollhattan, Sweden.

Under Saab’s previous ownership, General Motors sought to move to a more volume based model of production that many felt watered down the legacy of the company.

[Source: WhatCar]

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.

News of the deal comes via Dutch broadcaster NOS citing sources at both automakers who claims an announcement by both BMW and Saab will come this Wednesday.

Earlier this year Saab was saved from liquidation by little-known Dutch sports car maker Spyker, when it purchased the Swedish brand from General Motors. This deal could see Saab and Spyker head towards profitability in a world where, increasingly, small automakers are being forced to team up with larger players or simply disappear.

[Source: Reuters]

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:

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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.

There are three main reasons for the drastic increase in projected sales, the first being the car. Unlike the last model, Spyker sees the new model as more refined and modern. “It won’t be bought as an owner’s sixth or seventh collector’s item. People will probably be putting more miles on this one.” Secondly, Spyker intends to sell its vehicles through Saab dealerships after taking control of the Swedish luxury automaker earlier this year. Finally, Saab intends to offer its first-even automatic transmission, which it believes will help sell vehicles in the U.S.

If Spyker’s targets are correct, the automaker expects to see a profit in 2012.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

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.

Spyker’s latest model is the C8 Aileron, which makes 400-hp and can hit 62-mph in just 4.5 seconds.

In addition Muller commented that future Spyker models, known for their bespoke nature (and Audi-sourced engines), will begin using Saab parts and Saab engineering.

Earlier this year, Spyker purchased the Saab brand from General Motors, saving the Swedish automaker from liquidation.

GALLERY: Spyker C8 Aileron

[Source: AutoCar]

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.

IFS is expected to roll out Saab starting with the 9-3, and hopefully the 9-3X crossover and the new 9-5.

[Source: Autoblog]

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.

If that’s not enough to get you excited about the at-least-$50,000 sedan, here are some more details: it’ll hit U.S. dealers in July, starting with the Aero sedan. The base price of $49,990 includes a 2.8L turbocharged V6 engine with 300 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque, plus Saab’s ecellent XWD all-wheel-drive system. In 2011, a four-cylinder variant will be introduced, with pricing slipping under $40,000.

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:

Continue Reading…

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.

That information was then relayed to the FBI, and on to the U.S. government, which essentially told General Motors to put a hold on the sale.

Not long after, Antonov and his investment firm Convers Group, sold back $4.6 million in shares to CEO Victor Muller, paving the way for a new bid, which was successful.

Neither General Motors, nor Spyker have made any official comment on the matter.

[Source: Dagens Industri via Fox News]

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.

Saab has said the new 9-5 model will arrive in dealerships this Spring, replacing a model that has been on the market for over a decade. The 9-5 will be offered as both a sedan and wagon, and a 9-5X model is also coming. The 9-4X is due out in 2011.

Most surprising is the news that the automaker is looking at delivering a 9-1 model, as past reports have suggested Spyker didn’t want to take the Saab brand down-market. But with automakers like BMW and Audi already competing in the premium compact segment, Saab is reconsidering. Saab Spyker has said in an official press release that it intends to be an, ““independent, performance-orientated niche car company with an industry-leading environmental strategy,” that will compete directly with BMW and Audi.

Saab Spyker expects to return to profitability by 2012, an incredibly short time considering it hasn’t turned a profit in almost two decades.

[Source: AutoCar]

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:

Continue Reading…

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.

Recently investment company Genii Capital, backed by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone backed out of the bidding leaving Spyker as the only interested party.

According to one Swedish TV report, Spyker CEO Victor Muller has said an announcement will be made today and just a few hours ago the Netherlands’ securities agency suspended trading for Spyker shares – a sign that an announcement will be made shortly.

[Source: Automotive News]

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.”

Recently GM hired on wind-down firm AlixPartners, but continued to say that it was evaluating proposals from several interested parties.

Whitacre today said that so far none of the proposals, which include bids by Dutch exotic car maker Spyker and investment company Genii Capital, have been any better than closing Saab.

Product boss Bob Lutz, notorious for producing quotable phrases did so again today, telling Automotive News that, “For years GM has been procrastinating when it comes to Saab. I’m glad to see that for once GM is sticking with a decision to wind something down.”

Over the 20 years that Saab has been owned by GM, not once did it turn a profit.

The wind-down will begin, however, Whitacre said GM continues to keep its eyes and ears open should a viable proposal be put in front of them. Today, Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri reported the Genii, backed by Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, will have financing arranged for a cash bit shortly.

[Source: Automotive News]

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.

Currently Spyker models like the 400-hp C8 Aileron (above) sell for close to $300,000 and can be bought through certain Bentley and Lamborghini dealerships. Future Spyker models might also benefit from the purchase by using a version of Saab’s impressive all-wheel drive setup. In return, Muller hopes to maintain Saab’s dealership network of 218 showrooms.

As for the Saab product line, Muller wants to concentrate on the 9-3, 9-4x crossover and 2010 9-5. He dismissed the possibility of an entry-level 9-1 model, but did say that he’d love to see a production version of the Aero X concept finally make it to market. And with Saab’s low volume exotic car experience, Spyker might just be the company to make this a possibility.

A decision by General Motors on the future of Saab is expected this Wednesday, January 7th.

[Source: AOL Autos]

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.

Dutch business daily Het Financieele Dagblad suggests Dutch media tycoon John de Mol, who listed in the 2005 Forbes magazine wealthiest 500 people in the world issue, is the secret backer. De Mol, who owns production company Endemol with Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, as well as parts of telecommunications company Versatel and a part of Manchester United, also used to own one third of Spyker but sold his shares off several years ago.

The other rumored investor is another Dutch billionaire, Marcel Boekhoorn, who currently owns a 5.7 percent stake in Spyker.

Regardless of who is investing, the more important issue seems to be who is not, as Spyker’s 11th hour proposal is reported to have only been acknowledge by GM as it didn’t include Spyker’s Russian investors. Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet, reported that Russian investors Vladimir and Alexander Antonov, who own a 29.3 percent stake in Spyker, are no longer a part of the Spyker purchase.

General Motors feared Russian involvement as it believed the Russians might utilize Saab technology for other ventures in Russia – a market which GM sees as emerging and which it wants for itself.

With Dutch backers reportedly piling on and Russian ones leaving, Saab may be saved yet. However, according to a recent Bloomberg report, Spyker will still need to secure a significant loan from the European Investment Bank; likely in the absence of the Russian funds. Spyker CEO Victor Muller said as much, commenting that the EIB would need to get involved but the General Motors has looked at Spyker’s new proposal and that the two parties are talking and looking to find a solution that would save Saab.

[Source: Swedishwire and Bloomberg]

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.

According to Spyker CEO Victor Muller, his company’s new 11-point proposal would eliminate the obstacles that GM sees as making a speedy sale possible. “We are very confident that our renewed offer will remove the impasse that was standing in the way of an agreement on Friday, and this would still allow us to conclude the deal prior to the expiry of the deadline originally set by GM of December 31,” said Muller, commenting that the new proposal would eliminate the need for the European Investment Bank to get involved. Assumedly, this would mean that Dutch exotic car maker Spyker would raise funds by selling shares to its Russian backers.

General Motors has been mostly quiet on the offer, saying simply in a statement that, “Following Friday’s announcement that GM will begin the orderly wind down of Saab, GM has received inquiries from several parties. We will evaluate each inquiry.”

If a deal is reached it would not only save the jobs of 3,400 employees in Sweden, but those at the Swedish automaker’s numerous international dealerships – including 218 in the United States.

[Source: Automotive News]

General Motors has announced it will close down Saab after discussions to sell the brand fell through.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time,” said Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe. “In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution.”

GM had been in discussions to sell Saab to Spyker Cars but was unable to resolve some issues with the Dutch manufacturer. Last month, Koenigsegg also had interest in acquiring Saab before backing out.

Reilly says Saab will continue to honor warranties and provide service and parts to current owners.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings’ purchase of some Saab property, notably 9-3 and 9-5 powertrain technology, is not expected to be impacted by today’s annoucement.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Dutch exotic car maker Spyker is likely to become the new owner of Swedish automaker Saab after GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre confirmed there are no other bidders. Earlier this week GM reached a deal with Beijing Auto to sell off old Saab assets so the Chinese company could produce previous generation Saab models in its home market.

The deal left two companies (Renco and Spyker) vying for ownership of Saab, but now it appears GM has just one interested party.

Whitacre did say that he though a deal could be reached by the end of the year – which GM had set up as a self-imposed deadline to sell-off its loss-making Saab unit. A company spokesman has, however, said that GM would be willing to bankroll Saab for a short period past the deadline if a deal looked possible.

If an agreement between General Motors and Spyker can’t be made, Whitacre did say that GM would close Saab. That is unlikely, as GM is almost certain to gain more by selling Saab in its current state as an active automobile manufacturer.

[Source: Automotive News]

Dutch exotic car maker Spyker is likely the favored candidate in the resumed bidding for GM’s Saab division. Saab went back on the open market just a few weeks ago when a group led by Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg retracted its offer.

In an report published in Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet a source described GM’s top candidate in a way that almost certainly points to Spyker. Here are the details: the favored candidate has small scale experience in car production and it intends to keep production, design and development in Sweden. The source also said that the favored company is one that has already been mentioned in the press.

Last year Spyker sold just 43 vehicles, but they all came at a serious price, topping $294,200. It also has strong investment from Russian banking tycoon Vladimir Antonov. In the past, Spyker has even run a Formula 1 team and it continues to race its cars in endurance races in Europe.

General Motors had created a self imposed deadline of January 1st to sell-off the Swedish auto division and just recently company spokesman Chris Preuss has said that, “a decision about Saab is going to come very soon.”

An additional candidate in the running is China’s Beijing Auto (or BAIC), which is interested in the Saab’s tooling a technology behind the previous generation of cars in order to build those vehicles for the Chinese market. BAIC had agreed to support the Koenigsegg-led deal in exchange for those assets but when that deal fell through has offered once again to buy them.

It seems that the sale of some assets to BAIC, as well as the sale of current technology, production and design assets to Spyker is a possibility.

While there is hope for the future of the Saab brand, General Motors has had little success in parting-out its many divisions. The company is in the process of closing its Pontiac unit but couldn’t find a buyer for the Saturn brand after a deal with the Penske Automotive Group fell through. A deal to sell Hummer to a Chinese industrial equipment manufacturer has yet to be completed.

[Source: Reuters]

The Swedish government is putting the pressure on General Motors, saying that it must make a decision this week on the sale of Saab if the deal is to go through by the end of the year. “They must at least have chosen one of the interested parties this week, otherwise it will be tough to complete a deal,” said Swedish Enterprise Ministry secretary Joran Hagglund in an interview published in the country’s daily newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet.

After the deal to sell Saab to a group led by Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg fell through a few weeks ago, GM was all but ready to give up on its loss-making Swedish brand, when Dutch exotic car maker Spyker announced its interest. Yet another long shot, Spyker always seems to be able to find cash when it needs to, even running a Formula 1 team at one point.

GM has said that if a solid buyer is identified but a deal hasn’t been secured by the company’s self-imposed year’s-end deadline that it would be willing to continue to bankroll the company. GM spokesman Chris Preuss has said that the American auto giant is willing to continue to work to find a buyer for Saab but hinted that the wait might not be a long one saying that, “a decision about Saab is going to come very soon.”

The Swedish government does, however, have a say, as does the European Investment Bank, as both parties need to investigate a buyer’s business plan before supporting the purchase.

China’s Beijing Auto (or BAIC) has also expressed an interest in Saab, but is only after the company’s tooling a technology behind the previous generation of cars in order to build those vehicles for the Chinese market. BAIC had agreed to support the Koenigsegg-led deal in exchange for those assets but when that deal fell through has offered once again to buy them.

So far, GM has had little success selling off its many brands. The company is in the process of closing its Pontiac unit but couldn’t find a buyer for the Saturn brand after a deal with the Penske Automotive Group fell through. A deal to sell Hummer to a Chinese industrial equipment manufacturer has yet to be completed.

[Source: Reuters]

Russian Billionaire Alexander Antonov, the owner of Dutch supercar maker Spyker, has survived an assassination attempt.

The incident happened outside Anatonov’s house in Moscow where he was shot at 18 times. He was struck five times in the stomach, once in the chest and another time on one if his fingers, which was apparently blown completely off.

One of Antonov’s security guards was also wounded in the leg during the incident.

His condition is not life threatening and while the police have begun a search for his attacker no arrests have yet to be made.

Antonov’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $3.5 billion.

Spyker recently launched it’s latest car, the all-new C8 Aileron (pictured above) at the Geneva Auto Show.

[Source: Autocar]

Think of it as Spyker’s version of a Porsche GT3. Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, this stripped down special edition of the Spyker C8 Laviolette weights just 2,805 lbs and makes a significant 400hp thanks to its Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V-8. Spyker claims this is good for a 0-60 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds (which sounds underrated) and a top speed of 187 mph.

The car was built to pay homage to the Spyker Squadron GT2 cars that have ran at Le Mans since 2002 and even participated in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

Only 24 of the C8 Laviolette LM85 vehicles will be made and they come with some very special add-ons. Included with each sportscar, every owner will receive a Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot Watch. Every owner will also be invited to the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans to be special guests of Spyker Cars.

Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…