World Luxury Association Names Top 10 Car Brands

In a glitzy event held in Beijing, China, this month, the World Luxury Association (WLA), which is a non-profit research organization, named its Top 100 most valuable luxury brands of the year.

In the automotive field, the Top 10 premium car brands included some of the usual suspects such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini along with some surprise entrants like Saab's former owner Spyker and Koenigsegg. Not that it matters any more, but Daimler's Maybach brand didn't make the cut.

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2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition

2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition

Now, Spyker bringing new edition specifically for China is 2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition was released in 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. And More companies are developing special editions for the Chinese market.

2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition

Not many details have been revealed about the C8 Laviolette Special Edition, but it will be offered in a unique orange finish for around a price of 4.8 million yuan or about $ 735,000 with the current exchange rate.

2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition for China to have an orange body color combined with decorative red flag, white and blue. In the body and external parts such as mirrors, beautiful inlets and wheels, all built from the best aluminum material.

2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition

This is all in line with 2011 Spyker Sport Car interest in the Chinese market, having produced a road-legal version of their GT2 just for China. In addition, Spyker has also announced previously that it would be building a China-specific sedan in hopes of converting China to their second largest market, behind the United States. Another special edition vehicle will surely help those efforts.

2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition

Impressive features of this 2011 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Laviotte Special Edition is a 4.2 liter V8 engine capable of delivering a total output of 500 HP increased from 400 HP common with six-speed manual gearbox.

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Saab Roller Coaster Continues as Cash Gets Tight

Saab just can't seem to catch a break. After moving from the General's formerly overcrowded pocket into the hands of Spyker, the once-quirky brand is now doing all it can to bring production back online after failing to pay suppliers.

The gist is this: Saab received 400 million Euros (~$580 million) from the European Investment Bank so it could keep on ticking. Sweden guaranteed the loan, meaning whatever Spyker's resolution calls for must get the go-ahead from the Man.

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New Woes for Saab, Production Halted Again After Company Fails to Pay Suppliers

Less than a week after Saab idled its Trollhattan plant in Sweden for a few days due to a shortage of parts after failing to pay suppliers, the company once again halted production on Tuesday for the same exact reasons, despite solving the previous disputes.

"Production is stopped right now. It was stopped this morning," said Saab spokesperson Gunilla Gustavs. "We are working intensively to make sure the flow gets going again. We are having discussions with suppliers and doing our best to come to mutual agreements," Gustavs added.

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Saab Temporarily Halts Production After Suppliers Suspend Parts for Not Being Paid

In a sign of the possible problems brewing up at Saab, the Swedish firm was forced to temporarily halt production for a few hours at its plant on Tuesday as well as on Wednesday after component makers cut off deliveries to the factory because they hadn’t been paid.

“Certain suppliers halted supplies to Saab Automobile pending discussions about payments and supply terms,” Spyker said in a statement on Wednesday. “Saab Automobile expects to resolve these issues in the short term, also to prevent any further disruptions in supply. Saab Automobile has sufficient means to meet its immediate liquidity needs from existing and available sources,” the company added.

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SAAB CEO Jan Åke Jonsson to Retire, Victor Muller Takes Over Temporarily

Dutch automaker Spyker Cars NV announced on Friday that Saab Automobile’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Jan Åke Jonsson, has decided to step down from his position on 19 May, 2011. The company said that until a successor to the longtime Saab executive is found, Spyker Car’s CEO Victor Muller will temporarily assume the role of President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB in addition to his role as Chairman of the Board.

The 59-year old executive, who has worked for Saab for close to 40 years, took over the helm of the company in 2005 when it was still under the ownership of General Motors. Jonsson has been credited for playing a key role in the savior of Saab when the Detroit automaker wanted to close down the brand.

“I have been with Saab Automobile for almost my entire career of 40 years, of which almost six years as the head of Saab Automobile,” said Jonsson in a statement. “The last three years have of course been very demanding and forced me to focus on one thing only – my work. Now it is time for me to also spend some time on other things that had to stand back for my duties to Saab Automobile.”

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Spyker to Sell its Sportscar Business in Order to Focus on SAAB

Spyker Cars N.V., the Dutch owner of Saab, announced today that is has started negotiations to sell its sports car brand in order to focus on the development of premium car maker Saab, which it acquired one year ago from General Motors.

The Dutch company said it will sell the assets of its Spyker sportscar business to the UK-based CPP Global Holdings Limited, owned by Russian millionaire Vladimir Antonov. The terms of the deal include an initial purchase price of EUR15 million, plus a further EUR17 million to be paid from future earnings over a six-year period. The money will be used by Spyker Cars N.V. to reduce its debt.

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2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

Today introduced the first prototype of the Spyder version of its all-new second-generation sports cars, the Spyker C8 Aileron. Spyker Cars, manufacturer of exclusive, hand-crafted sports cars since 2000. The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder was unveiled at the Spyker lounge on Peter Hay Hill on Saturday, and subsequently displayed on the concept lawn at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday.

Zeewolde, The Netherlands (4 November 2010) – The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder concept makes its UK debut today at MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show at Earls Court in London. For the first time, British motoring enthusiasts visiting the annual celebration of performance motoring will be able to lay their eyes on one of the most exclusive cars in the world.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

The Spyker C8 Aileron is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports cars, featuring a longer wheelbase than Spyker's existing sports cars, the C8 Laviolette and convertible C8 Spyder. The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder sports a high-quality, semi-automatic canvas soft-top. The roof's operation is electric/hydraulic, secured by one central latch operated manually.

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder uses the Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine, delivering 400 bhp and is available with two transmission alternatives. The first one is a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the V8 engine. A ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox is optional, which comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. Both transmissions retain Spyker's trademark exposed gear change mechanism.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder features an all-aluminium V8 engine producing 400 bhp and generating 354 lbs of torque at 3,400 rpm. The engine is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, driving the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. For the first time, Spyker is offering an optional automatic transmission on the C8 Aileron. The Aileron delivers a top speed of 300km/h (187 mph) and accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds.

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder is fitted with a brand new front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension system developed by Lotus. The new suspension system includes a new kinematic layout of the front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, mono-tube dampers, coil over damper steel springs, anti-dive and anti-squat setup for improved handling properties.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

All Kharma sound systems are developed, assembled and tested in the Netherlands, with the utmost care by a team of highly engaged specialists. These characteristics of high-quality products and exclusiveness are fully in line with Spyker's brand values of craftsmanship and exclusivity.

Spyker Cars has announced the development of a C8 Spyder convertible spoiler at the Geneva Salon in March, at the launch of the 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder version of the series. The car is now the first prototype for the convertible model, the production in the first half of 2010 will begin.

The Spyker C8 Aileron comes with an unlimited 3-year manufacturer's warranty. Price: $210,000.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

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2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

Today introduced the first prototype of the Spyder version of its all-new second-generation sports cars, the Spyker C8 Aileron. Spyker Cars, manufacturer of exclusive, hand-crafted sports cars since 2000. The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder was unveiled at the Spyker lounge on Peter Hay Hill on Saturday, and subsequently displayed on the concept lawn at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday.

Zeewolde, The Netherlands (4 November 2010) – The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder concept makes its UK debut today at MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show at Earls Court in London. For the first time, British motoring enthusiasts visiting the annual celebration of performance motoring will be able to lay their eyes on one of the most exclusive cars in the world.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

The Spyker C8 Aileron is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports cars, featuring a longer wheelbase than Spyker's existing sports cars, the C8 Laviolette and convertible C8 Spyder. The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder sports a high-quality, semi-automatic canvas soft-top. The roof's operation is electric/hydraulic, secured by one central latch operated manually.

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder uses the Audi 4.2 litre V8 engine, delivering 400 bhp and is available with two transmission alternatives. The first one is a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the V8 engine. A ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox is optional, which comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. Both transmissions retain Spyker's trademark exposed gear change mechanism.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder features an all-aluminium V8 engine producing 400 bhp and generating 354 lbs of torque at 3,400 rpm. The engine is paired to a manual six-speed gearbox, driving the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. For the first time, Spyker is offering an optional automatic transmission on the C8 Aileron. The Aileron delivers a top speed of 300km/h (187 mph) and accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds.

The 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder is fitted with a brand new front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension system developed by Lotus. The new suspension system includes a new kinematic layout of the front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, mono-tube dampers, coil over damper steel springs, anti-dive and anti-squat setup for improved handling properties.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

All Kharma sound systems are developed, assembled and tested in the Netherlands, with the utmost care by a team of highly engaged specialists. These characteristics of high-quality products and exclusiveness are fully in line with Spyker's brand values of craftsmanship and exclusivity.

Spyker Cars has announced the development of a C8 Spyder convertible spoiler at the Geneva Salon in March, at the launch of the 2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder version of the series. The car is now the first prototype for the convertible model, the production in the first half of 2010 will begin.

The Spyker C8 Aileron comes with an unlimited 3-year manufacturer's warranty. Price: $210,000.

2010 Spyker Sport Cars C8 Aileron Spyder

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Saab to Cut Workforce after Poor Sales Forecast

Sweden-based Saab Automobile plans to reduce its workforce by 200 employees or about one-eighth of its current staff, according to report from Reuters citing a union official. Hakan Skott, a union representative at Saab, told the news site that the move was expected after the company's new owner, Dutch supercar maker Spyker, cut the firm's sales target from 60,000 units in February, to 45,000 a few months later and finally to just 30,000 cars at end of October.

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Simbol Design K1 Attack is a Shed-Built Italian GT with an Alfa V6

From the creators of the Ferrari Enzo-emulating GTX-R comes the K1 Attack, a car that takes styling cues from the Spyker C8 Aileron, Lotus Europa and others. Simbol Design has fitted the Attack with an Alfa Romeo-sourced V6 turbo good for 246 horsepower. Mated to a 5-speed manual, this gives the custom built sports car an apparent 0 to 100 km/h [62 mph] time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h [165 mph].

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Spyker to Begin Selling Sports Cars at Saab Showrooms

In a move that won't surprise anyone in the automotive industry, Spyker Cars NV and Saab Automobile owner, Victor Muller, confirmed plans to sell Spyker's high-end sports cars through Saab retailers by the end of the year.

"We are signing up Spyker dealerships left, right and center," Muller said in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency at Saab's headquarters in Trollhaettan, Sweden.

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Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 Available on Forza Motorsport 3 / Xbox 360

Xbox 360 gamers are offered their first opportunity to take a virtual place behind the wheel of a Spyker supercar as the Dutch firm's C8 Laviolette LM85 is now available as the gift car of the Exotic Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 3, which was released on 11 May for 400 Microsoft Points.

"We've created something very special and unique with the LM85," said Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker and recently, of Saab Automobile as well. "It's very exciting to share our creation and passion with the Xbox and Forza Motorsport community, and we can't wait to see how players put it through the paces on the track."

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Spyker Renews Offer for SAAB, GM Says it Will Revaluate

In what could be a final attempt to save SAAB from closing down, tiny Dutch sports car maker Spyker submitted a new 11-point proposal to buy the Swedish brand from General Motors on Sunday. The Dutch company said that its new proposal addresses all the issues that resulted to the collapse of the talks earlier this week. However, Spyker noted that the renewed offer is valid until 5pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Monday December 21, 2009.

GM issued today an official statement saying that, following Friday's announcement on the closure of SAAB, it "received inquiries from several parties" and it will evaluate each and every one without disclosing any more details on the matter.

Spyker CEO Victor R. Muller said that he believes the company's new offer will be successful.

"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 31st", said Muller in a statement.

"Despite our collective eleventh hour set-back, we are returning to the table with a renewed offer, that addresses every known issue brought to light during the initial negotiations and that has the full backing of the Saab Management. The new offer eliminates the need for an EIB loan approval prior to year end, for example, which will allow the deal to be concluded within GM's deadline."

"Our efforts are based on our passion for saving an iconic brand that we would be honoured to shepherd, and the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of loyal Saab employees, suppliers and dealers around the world. Some 1,500,000 Saabs are on the road today and their proud owners would no doubt welcome the survival of this phenomenal brand", he added.

Spyker, which sold somewhere around 40 cars last year and recently decided to lay off a third of its 135-strong workforce in The Netherlands and move production to the UK, is said to be backed by Russian banker Vladimir Antonov and his Convers Group, which has a 30 percent stake in the Dutch company.

The sports car maker said that the deal would "add a lot of value to both parties", with Spyker benefiting from SAAB's global distribution network of 1100 dealers, its facilities and R&D capabilities, and the Swedes from financial backing and what the Dutch company describes as "an entrepreneurial leadership team sensitive to the uniqueness, heritage and individuality of the Saab brand."

"Our company motto is nulla tenaci invia est via - for the tenacious no road is impassable," said Spyker's boss. "And we intend to remain true to that throughout these negotiations as we bid to secure Saab's future and revive the company," Muller concluded.

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R.I.P.: General Motors Announces the Death of SAAB

Just moments ago, General Motors announced that it will be closing down its money-losing SAAB unit after concluding that the sale of the Swedish brand to tiny Dutch supercar maker, Spyker Cars, could not be completed in the time frame that had been set.

"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. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution. We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars," said GM Europe President Nick Reilly.

General Motors had turned to Spyker Cars after a failed effort to sell the Swedish brand to a consortium led by the Koenigsegg Group AB.

The Detroit automaker said that Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current owners around the world.

"We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner," Reilly said. "This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers."

What GM did not say, is what's going to happen with the Swedish firm's upcoming models such as the all-new 9-5 sedan and the Cadillac SRX-based, 9-4x.

Earlier this week, the Detroit automaker revealed that it had come to an agreement with China's BAIC for the sale of the intellectual rights of the current-generation Saab 9-5 (not the 2010 model shown in Frankfurt) and certain 9-3 models.

Saab follows the same fate as several other GM-owned brands such as Pontiac and Saturn which were also axed.

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GM to Entertain New Offers for SAAB until the End of December

General Motors is still on the lookout for a new owner for its Saab unit, the company confirmed on Tuesday. The Detroit automaker said that the firm's Board of Directors have received "expressions of interest" from a suite of buyers for its Saab unit after the termination of negotiations with the Koenigsegg Group AB.

"The Board will evaluate potential bids between now and the end of December. At that time, we will determine whether a suitable arrangement for Saab exists. If not, we will begin an orderly wind down of the global Saab business at that time," General Motors said in a prepared statement to the press.

While GM did not disclose or confirm any names, media reports claim that potential suitors for Saab include China's Beijing Automotive, which had previously agreed to buy a stake in Koenigsegg, and Holland's Spyker Cars - yes, that's the same unprofitable company that decided to move production from The Netherlands to the UK and fire a third of its staff...

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Spyker Moves Production from The Netherlands to The UK, Cuts a Third of Jobs

Dutch supercar maker Cars N.V. announced today that it is planning to move its manufacturing base from Zeewolde in Holland to its main supplier, CPP, located in Coventry, UK, before the end of the year. The company said that the decision to relocate its vehicle assembly was made to reduce production costs since more than half of the vehicle parts and components are sourced from the UK.

Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars stated: "In these challenging times, a small manufacturer like Spyker has to find ways to reduce costs as well as improve its efficiency. By relocating vehicle assembly to CPP (Manufacturing), which was Spyker's very first contracting partner at the inception of our company in 2000 and has been one of our most trusted partners ever since, we secure the future of our business".

"With approximately half of our vehicles' parts and components sourced in the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements."

Spyker said that of the 135 people it employs in the Netherlands, around 45 jobs or more than a third of its staff will be directly affected by the move. Engineering, Corporate staff functions, Sales, After-Sales, Marketing and "Spyker Squadron", the company's Works' GT race team, will continue to operate in Zeewolde.

However, the Dutch firm warned that "further headcount reduction may not be excluded" in the near future.

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