Saleen Inc. Sold Again: Future of Supercar Department Uncertain

Three months after Saleen Incorporated announced it was looking for a buyer the company has just released news that MJ Acquistions has purchased a significant portion of the automakers assets.

The deal puts all supercharger, after market and high performance assets in the hands of MJ Acquisitions. Saleen Inc. will retain ownership of everything relating to the S7 Supercar and upcoming S5 Raptor – although the move certainly puts the development of the Saleen exotic in jeapordy as it is more than likety the supercar department shares both staff and resources with the departments that have changed hands. And considering how small the volume of sales for the S7 project have been it’s unlikely MJ Acquistions will want to dedicate staff and resources to areas other than the high volume, high profit aftermarket and high performance segments.

On a positive note MJ Acquisitions is a developed and successful automotive company that owns four subsidiaries: Cyltec, LLC, Power-Tec Engineering, LLC, Arrow Racing Engines, LLC, and Control-Tec, LLC. These companies comprise a network that currently facilitates full service enginering, design, manufacturing, assembly and control systems for sectors of the automotive industry.

“We moved on this purchase quickly to ensure that the process of delivering high-quality automobiles and components to the consumers is not disrupted,” said Mike Shields, President and CEO of MJ Acquisitions. “We are working with the talented team from Saleen and our own experts to continue the quality, delivery, and performance the customer base and delalership network have come to expect from the Saleen brand.”

One point of note is that employees of the Saleen departments that were sold were let go, however, many (if not all) of them are expected to be rehired – including Saleen Inc. CEO Chris Theodore, who said that, “MJ Acquisitions and its affiliates are a group of true car professionals with vast experience in the engineering, production, assembly and distribution of performance and racing vehicles. This influx of new life into the Saleen, RaceCraft and SpeedLab brands is a win-win situation.

MJ Acquisitions doesn’t plan to waste any time bringing product to market and the company is expected to forge ahead with a redesign of the flagship S-Line brand, due out in late 2009, as well as the realse of a 2010 Racecraft Mustang – with develpment beging on that project as soon as Ford delviers the new model to Saleen HQ.

[Source: Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club]

Official release after the jump:

Breaking News: SOEC/Saleen Forums News Exclusive — Irvine, California, February 2, 2009 — After announcing it was looking for a buyer in early November, Saleen Incorporated announced today that MJ Acquistions has acquired certain assets of America’s premier automotive lifestyle brand, relating to Saleen’s supercharger, aftermarket and high performance street vehicle businesses.

The transaction reportedly was finalized last Friday, which left all of the employees (including Saleen Inc. CEO Chris Theodore) with the legal formality of being without jobs — at least temporarily. Some hirebacks have already taken place as the transition progresses.

While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, the purchase does not include the assets associated with the supercar (S7 or S5 Raptor vehicles) or the paint operations, which will remain with Saleen Incorporated.

The ownership of MJ Acquisitions controls a family of companies which provide full service engineering, design, manufacturing, assembly and control systems for the automotive industry. It’s affilitated companies include Cyltec, LLC, Power-Tec Engineering, LLC, Arrow Racing Engines, LLC, and Control-Tec, LLC.

“MJ Acquisitions and its affiliates are a group of true car professionals with vast experience in the engineering, production, assembly and distribution of performance and racing vehicles” said Theodore in a press release. “This influx of new life into the Saleen, RaceCraft and SpeedLab brands is a win-win situation.”

Theodore noted loyal Saleen customers, dealers and enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting transition period.

“We moved on this purchase quickly to ensure that the process of delivering high-quality automobiles and components to the consumers is not disrupted,” said Mike Shields, President and CEO of MJ Acquisitions. “We are working with the talented team from Saleen and our own experts to continue the quality, delivery, and performance the customer base and delalership network have come to expect from the Saleen brand. I am particularly excited about Saleen’s supercharger experience and its synergies with Power-Tec’s development of the next generation of superchargers.”

Immediate plans are to roll out the 2010 version of the newly designed Mustang for the Racecraft brand and commence other Racecraft designs for additional vehicles. The new Mustang is shipping from Ford later this month. Additionally, the Saleen brand will have a new design of the flagship S-Line that is already in the works and scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2009.

While this announcement may provide more questions than answers for some, Saleen owners should be assured that key warranty and sales staff are still at the company to serve dealers and owners, with more hirebacks likely coming in the days ahead.

MJ Acquistions does plan to work with the dealer network and others to establish the future product line. A company spokesperson told SOEC that more announcements will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.