Press release
SPYKER TRADING UPDATE THIRD QUARTER 2008
Zeewolde, the Netherlands, 24 October 2008 – Spyker Cars N.V. (“Spyker” or “the
Company”), manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, today announces the trading
update for the third quarter of 2008. The two most significant developments were the
move to line production in Zeewolde and the launch of the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85.
Key developments:
•
As from September 2nd, Spyker has been included in the AScX index of Euronext Amsterdam
(Amsterdam Small Cap Index)
•
Spyker prepared its production line for the SOP (Start of Production) of the Spyker C8 Aileron,
the new long wheel base model with automatic gearbox. In particular, the production has now
been successfully converted to a 9 cell line production, whilst up to the third quarter, cars
were produced on a stand-alone basis by one team of mechanics. This transformation of the
production process, a long cherished ambition of Spyker, caused a slight slowdown of the
production in Q3 2008, but will warrant higher levels of production output going forward. In
spite of this important transformation, Spyker still produced and delivered 8 cars in Q3. This
production method could only be introduced now that the supply chain had been completely
restored, following the disruption of last year. The highly increased efficiency of this system
will allow Spyker to raise production substantially with the introduction of the C8 Aileron and
subsequently D8 Peking-to-Paris with an equal or even improved cost structure.
Line production in Zeewolde (NL)
•
In Q3 of 2008 the workforce of the Company reached 138 employees (was 133 as per June
30, 2008).
•
Development of the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris SSUV
is continuously in full progress and the car will go
into production in the second half of 2009.
Market demand for this model remains
unabatedly strong.
Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris
•
A new EXACT ERP system was successfully implemented and went live on 1 July, 2008.
Various departments, including finance, procurement, production and sales are now fully
integrated, resulting in benefits for all departments within the company.
•
Spyker successfully participated in the British Motor Show from July 23 until August 3 in
London with the Spyker C8 Aileron, the Spyker C12 Zagato, the Spyker C8 Spyder and the
Spyker C8 Laviolette.
•
In August, Spyker introduced the website www.spykercollection.com , a website completely
dedicated to the Official Merchandising of Spyker. Since merchandising is a spear point
in Spyker’s expansion strategy, Mr Sander
van Dijk was appointed General Manager of
Spyker Events & Branding B.V., as well as
Commercial Manager of Spyker Squadron B.V.
•
On September 23, Ego Lifestyle B.V. and
Spyker signed a license agreement, pursuant
to which Ego will develop, sell and market
ultra high-end laptop computers with Spyker
branding.
Spyker Ego laptop
•
On August 7, the exclusive Spyker distributor in the United Kingdom, Broughtons of
Cheltenham, opened a second dedicated showroom in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Moreover
new dealers were appointed in Chicago
(Steve Foley – Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac)
and Tampa, Florida (Elder - Aston Martin,
Jaguar).
•
On August 28, Spyker announced the introduction of
an exclusive limited edition model, the
Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, of which 24 examples
will be built.
•
Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85
The Spyker C8 Aileron made its US Debut at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 17,
2008.
•
Snoras Spyker Squadron – the factory GT race team - continued its activities in the third
quarter of 2008 with participation in the Le Mans Series races and participated in the
Omnitel 1000 km endurance race in Palanga,
Lithuania on July 19. After a start from
pole position, the factory car won the
Baltic’s prime endurance race after nine
hours and 333 laps Moreover Snoras Spyker
Squadron participated in the 1000 km of
Nürburgring (August) in which both cars
finished 5th and 7th, and the 1000 km of
Silverstone (September) in which the Snoras
Spyker Squadron car, with guest driver
Tom Coronel, finished 4th.
Victory in the Omnitel 1000 km in Lithuania
Outlook
•
After the successful transformation of the production process into line production, production
and deliveries of Short Wheel Base models are expected to rise in Q4 2008. The first limited
edition Spyker C8 Laviolette LM 85 was delivered on October 20, to the dealer in Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia, in time for its formal launch at the Jeddah Motorshow, to be held from 27 – 30
October, 2008. A second car will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Autoshow, to be held from 19
– 30 November 2008 (www.laautoshow.com)
•
Spyker has appointed Mr Renaud Gasc as Chief Commercial Officer, effective as from
December 1st
•
A Spyker C8 Spyder is featured in the new American television series, Knight Rider, a remake
of the successful 1970’s television series, which starred David Hasselhoff. Product placements
such as in Knight Rider are of the utmost importance to create
an aspirational group of consumers for
Spyker products and merchandise
•
Production of the first Spyker C8 Aileron
has started in October 2008
Spyker C8 Aileron
•
So called “winter testing” for the purpose of ABS and ESP will commence this quarter on the
Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris SSUV, its production expected to commence in the second half of
2009
•
A further expansion of the worldwide dealer base is expected
•
Strong emphasis on further increasing merchandising activities now that a brand new web
shop has been launched (www.spykercollection.com)
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars N.V. says: “We are very pleased that the production
process has successfully been transformed into line production, which was only feasible now that all
the parts and components are readily available and in stock, a situation we finally achieved in Q3,
after the disruption of 2007. As a consequence, we can further streamline the production process in
preparation of the higher volumes expected when Spyker C8 Aileron and D8 Peking-to-Paris will be in
production. The demand for the automatic gearbox is such that we have raised the number of
automatic cars to 95% of the forecasted production. Up until now, Spyker could not service the
market for super sports cars with an automatic gearbox, because the short wheel base models could
not be equipped with such a gearbox. By having an automatic gearbox, we have opened up markets
which were closed to us until now.”
Financial Agenda 2008/2009
Subject to change
•
30 January 2009
Trading update Q4 2008
•
27 March 2009
Publication year results 2008
•
23 April 2009
General shareholders meeting 2009
Note for the press, not for publication
For further information please contact:
Spyker Cars N.V.
Victor R. Muller, CEO
Lydia Altena, PR & Communication Manager
Edisonweg 2
3899 AZ Zeewolde, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)36 53 58 787
Fax: +31 (0)36 53 58 780
E-mail:
[email protected]