Spyker’s Triumphant Return Ruined By Bankruptcy – CarBuzz

Spyker has been through a lot since founded by Victor Muller in 1999. Only a few years prior, Koenigsegg and Pagani came into this world, but Spyker has been far less fortunate despite developing a loyal customer base. Last August, CEO Muller announced the Spyker Group had entered an agreement with two motorsport companies, BR Engineering and SMP Racing, both owned by a pair of Russian businessmen, Boris Rotenberg and Michail Pessis. The investment from the duo would result in a new production facility in Germany and an international store in Monaco.

Equally important, the Spyker C8 Preliator would finally arrive along with a production version of the wild D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV that first appeared as a concept back in 2006. Unfortunately, it appears things have fallen through.

According to a report from Dutch language RTL News, Muller has just filed for bankruptcy. “That money did not come. It did not go as I had agreed,” Muller is quoted as saying. “Otherwise we would have had a nicer conversation now.” The CEO also confirmed all other company activities have been halted because there’s no money. Muller did not provide additional details on why the deal came apart.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the global economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic was a factor. Willem Jan van Andel and Dennis Steffens, of Spyker Events and Spyker Services, respectively, both previously filed for bankruptcy due to a lack of funds.

The bankruptcy of Spyker NV simply could not have come at a worse time for the nameplate. Muller, once again, refuses to accept defeat and still hopes to revive the brand, calling Spyker NV an “empty shell” of opportunity.

“I’m not going to let this put me off. I think the chance that there will be an investment in Spyker is very high. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings,” Muller said. He also didn’t go into detail about the status of the new 600-HP V8 engine designed and built by Koenigsegg exclusively for Spyker, though it’s fair to assume that project has also been terminated.