Spyker against Russophobia

In the world of supercars came another Russian. Businessman Vladimir Antonov, the company buys Spyker NV unit production supercar Spyker. The company itself will be renamed the Saab NV and focus on vehicles Swedish brand. All this looks like a beautiful multipass chess game. Antonov was already the largest shareholder in Spyker. However, when the Dutch automaker planned to buy a Saab from drowning General Motors, the Americans resisted Russian presence in the transaction. But plans for Mr. Antonov was the most serious. He does not hide the fact that Spyker was a mediator for the absorption of the Swedish autocompanies. Antonov, for example, was going to open in Kaliningrad plant for production of Russian Saab. To purchase took place, Antonov had to sell their shares, almost 30%, Victor Muller, the head and founder of Spyker. Nevertheless, the Russian businessman has allocated funds Tenaci Capital Mueller of the money to buy the Swedish automaker. Earlier this year, reports have appeared that the problem with GM settled and the Converse group "will again become a shareholder Saab Spyker. However, spoke against the European Investment Bank, which provided Saab loan of 400 million euros guaranteed by the government of Sweden. "This rusofobstvo left only way - to share with Saab Spyker, so that the latter is not trivial bent", - said Vladimir Antonov, in an interview with the newspaper business "Marker". For Spyker Antonov pay EUR 15 million immediately and another about 17 million over the next five years. And Saab Spyker and technologically connected. Production of the Dutch Supercar moved from Zeevolde (Holland) in the UK Coventry. Their release will firm Coventry Prototype Panels (CPP). Suddenly it became clear that the CPP, supplying aluminum parts for Bentley and Aston Martin, also owned by Antonov. In addition, the number of its acquisitions Russian businessman calls the manufacturer rally SUV based on the Land Rover and ... famous design studio Zagato. Moreover, recently the Russian businessman has made another loud purchase. The other day it ogranizatsiya Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI) bought the company North One Sport (NOS), which is the promoter of the World Rally Championship WRC. In essence, created a major motorsport alliance. And his hypothetical possibility is much more serious than, for example, Russian Marussia Motors. Victor Muller will close by Saab. Simultaneously, he will hold the post of executive director of Spyker up until he does not find a replacement. It seems that the founder of Spyker more and more becoming dutoy figure. Antonov and eventually gets up and Saab. He has openly criticized his partner. However, there is to criticize. Cases Spyker were abandoned, as all resources were given to save Saab. As a result, the company was virtually devoid of funding and for the whole last year has not released any supercar. Production is already completely finished model Spyker C8 Aileron and has not begun. Work on the long-awaited SUV were stopped. A sedan and has remained on paper. Thought-out business plan, the company is also not that, in general, it is quite natural for such small automakers. Since 2004, the Spyker unprofitable. Annual production amounts to little more than three dozen cars. Had to abandon the costly formula team. Head designer Maarten de Bryuyin joined Spyker in 2005. Things Saab also is not so rosy. Sorokapyatitysyachnogo sales volume was achieved. Nevertheless, the automaker says the growth: the production of automobiles rose by 53% to 32,048 vehicles. And sales increased 15% to 31,696 vehicles. However, the figure of 31,696 - the number of cars delivered to dealers. Customers managed to sell only 28,284 cars, 29% lower than in the failed 2009. In the model number of companies - vehicles designed back in the days when the Swedish automaker owned by GM. 9-4x crossover is generally produced at the GM plant in Mexico with soplatformennym Cadillac SRX, Saab and can only resell the cars through its dealer network. Yes, and diesel at 9-4x, so necessary for success in Europe, no. All that is now the company - is ready wagon based on the model of 9-5, which has caused increased interest in the European public. And also the concept of PhoeniX, which shows what a new chief designer of Saab Jason Kastriot. Kastriot will work over the appearance of a new generation of models 9-3. Its promise to prepare for the start of next year. It will have its own new platform, BMW turbo and four-wheel drive with an electric motor on the rear axle. But for independent swimming Saab is not enough money. And the dealer network to reorganize. For example, in Russia, Saab sales were stopped, and they plan to reopen by summer.