RE: Now Spyker Wants To Buy Saab...
Thursday 3rd December 2009
Spyker and Saab - another odd couple?The surprising news from Spyker follows its announcement late last month that production of its cars was moving from the Netherlands to Coventry.
Or new Saab 9-5 could move to ChinaFollowing the collapse of the Koenigsegg deal, GM has confirmed it will wind-up the 60 year old Saab brand next year if no new deal can be struck before the end of this year.
Now Spyker Wants To Buy Saab...
Dutch (and UK) supercar maker picks up where Koenigsegg left off
Spyker has confirmed it is talking to General Motors about a last-minute rescue package for Swedish car maker Saab, following the collapse of a proposed deal that would have put Koenigsegg in the driving seat.
Spyker and Saab - another odd couple?
Who knows what Spyker has in mind for the Saab brand, but anyone who thought the Koenigsegg deal would create an unlikely partnership is likely to be just as sceptical of Spyker's chances. So far the Dutch firm has offered no comment other than to confirm its interest with the following statement:
"In response to market enquiries, Spyker Cars confirms that it, together with its shareholder Convers Group, has expressed an interest in Saab Automobile AB. If and when we are able to comment further, we will do so but we are unable to provide more information at this time."
Or new Saab 9-5 could move to China
Saab said yesterday it was still talking to 'a number of parties', and one option appears to be a proposal for Beijing Automotive to move 9-5 production to China.
Discussion
Seems like Saab is destined to die at some stage IMO. Whilst I liked Saab, like many people, I'm not sure I would buy one now, what they stood for once is no longer applicable. There is no innovation and no USP that I can think, other than its not German.
That a maker like Spyker, for all its innovation in style, could be taken down by over-belief would, in my opinion be a sad day. They at least offer something unique in a marketplace. The deal would be like Westfield or Caterham or Bristol suddenly expressing an interest in Vauxhall or, were it still around, in MGRover.
That a maker like Spyker, for all its innovation in style, could be taken down by over-belief would, in my opinion be a sad day. They at least offer something unique in a marketplace. The deal would be like Westfield or Caterham or Bristol suddenly expressing an interest in Vauxhall or, were it still around, in MGRover.
aarondrs said:
Seems like Saab is destined to die at some stage IMO. Whilst I liked Saab, like many people, I'm not sure I would buy one now, what they stood for once is no longer applicable. There is no innovation and no USP that I can think, other than its not German.
That a maker like Spyker, for all its innovation in style, could be taken down by over-belief would, in my opinion be a sad day. They at least offer something unique in a marketplace. The deal would be like Westfield or Caterham or Bristol suddenly expressing an interest in Vauxhall or, were it still around, in MGRover.
Indeed, it's biggest USP is that it's a non-german premium marquee.That a maker like Spyker, for all its innovation in style, could be taken down by over-belief would, in my opinion be a sad day. They at least offer something unique in a marketplace. The deal would be like Westfield or Caterham or Bristol suddenly expressing an interest in Vauxhall or, were it still around, in MGRover.
The only reason I'd buy one (second hand) prob is that you don't see them a lot.
I'd hate to see it go, but it is destined to die.
Alfa / Lexus for me it is...
Some info
Zeewolde, The Netherlands, 29 December 2008 - Spyker Cars N.V.,
manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, announces today that
as per 25 December 2008, AB Bankas Snoras ('Snoras') transferred
4,643,750 shares A Spyker Cars N.V., representing a 29.82% interest,
to Desolery Holdings Limited of Cyprus ('Desolery').
Both Snoras and Desolery are members of the international financial
organisation Convers Group of Moscow, Russia. The transfer is related
to an internal restructuring of Convers Group. Snoras remains the
owner of the priority share in Spyker Cars N.V.
Russian Banker’s Spyker in Talks to Buy Saab From GM
03 December 2009
The Moscow Times
Spyker cars, a Dutch automaker part-owned by Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, is in talks with General Motors to purchase Saab, the carmaker’s loss-making Swedish unit.
Spyker CEO Victor Muller said Wednesday that the maker of luxury sports cars “has an interest in Saab along with [Convers Group],” Bloomberg reported.
The company is “unable to provide more information at this time,” company representative Mike Stainton said.
Convers Group controls 29.8 percent of Spyker after Konversbank, which ceased to exist in 2008, bought the stake in 2007. Konversbank was merged with Investbank, a subsidiary of Convers Group, according to Investbank’s web site.
Alexander Antonov, who heads Convers Group, is currently on Investbank’s supervisory board, while his son Vladimir is the bank’s deputy CEO. Although Investbank’s web site does not disclose ownership information, Vedomosti reported last year that Vladimir Antonov holds 52.5 percent in the bank, which is Russia’s 84th largest, with assets of 32.6 billion rubles ($1.1 billion).
Vladimir Antonov is also the current chairman of Spyker Cars’ supervisory board, according to the company’s web site.
Alexander Antonov was shot in March in Moscow but he survived the attack.
GM said Tuesday that it would close Saab if it finds no suitable buyer by the end of the year.
Zeewolde, The Netherlands, 29 December 2008 - Spyker Cars N.V.,
manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, announces today that
as per 25 December 2008, AB Bankas Snoras ('Snoras') transferred
4,643,750 shares A Spyker Cars N.V., representing a 29.82% interest,
to Desolery Holdings Limited of Cyprus ('Desolery').
Both Snoras and Desolery are members of the international financial
organisation Convers Group of Moscow, Russia. The transfer is related
to an internal restructuring of Convers Group. Snoras remains the
owner of the priority share in Spyker Cars N.V.
Russian Banker’s Spyker in Talks to Buy Saab From GM
03 December 2009
The Moscow Times
Spyker cars, a Dutch automaker part-owned by Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, is in talks with General Motors to purchase Saab, the carmaker’s loss-making Swedish unit.
Spyker CEO Victor Muller said Wednesday that the maker of luxury sports cars “has an interest in Saab along with [Convers Group],” Bloomberg reported.
The company is “unable to provide more information at this time,” company representative Mike Stainton said.
Convers Group controls 29.8 percent of Spyker after Konversbank, which ceased to exist in 2008, bought the stake in 2007. Konversbank was merged with Investbank, a subsidiary of Convers Group, according to Investbank’s web site.
Alexander Antonov, who heads Convers Group, is currently on Investbank’s supervisory board, while his son Vladimir is the bank’s deputy CEO. Although Investbank’s web site does not disclose ownership information, Vedomosti reported last year that Vladimir Antonov holds 52.5 percent in the bank, which is Russia’s 84th largest, with assets of 32.6 billion rubles ($1.1 billion).
Vladimir Antonov is also the current chairman of Spyker Cars’ supervisory board, according to the company’s web site.
Alexander Antonov was shot in March in Moscow but he survived the attack.
GM said Tuesday that it would close Saab if it finds no suitable buyer by the end of the year.
I can't see a relatively small car company like Spyker making a go of saving Saab if a big company like GM can't do it. I really like Spyker cars but I think if they took over Saab both marques could disappear before to long. Spyker should stick to what they do best, making a few innovative sports cars.
Technically, it's not Spyker who's looking to buy Saab but the financial backers behind Spyker.
who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
J B L said:
Technically, it's not Spyker who's looking to buy Saab but the financial backers behind Spyker.
who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
Surely it is technically more correct to state that it is Spyker looking to buy Saab with the backing of their financial backers.who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
A lot of companies are 'backed' by finance of one sort or another
tvrnl said:
Spyker is an interesting car company which has not been profitable since its resurrection, ten years ago. Saab is an interesting car company which has not been profitable in the past 20 years. So why would someone put money into this combination??
I think a lot of Saab's lack of profitability comes from the sleight of hand by GM in using any money they created to pay for healthcare and pensions in Detroit.....
J B L said:
Technically, it's not Spyker who's looking to buy Saab but the financial backers behind Spyker.
who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
Al Dar and Adeem. Although they are owned by a holding company. And that is owned by the Kuwaiti Civil Servants Pension Fund, which linked to the Kuwaiti Investment Office. who knows what companies these Financial Companies own already, Spyker would only give credibility to them acquiring Saab. It would look better on paper to have a car company owning another car company rather than a bank owning a car company.
It's a bit like Prodrive representing the Kuwait group (can't remember their name) who bought Aston Martin. Althogh I do believe Prodrive owns quite a chunk but I could be wrong here.
But Prodrive does have a stake, as does an individual called John Sinders.
I don't see a problem in a Russian banker buying a Swedish carmaker. I do wonder where they'd get the money to do it.
A joke is going the rounds in banking circles : 'FILTH' used to mean 'failed in London, try Hong Kong. 'FETID' means 'failed everywhere, try in Dubai'.
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