Al Tayer appointed exclusive Spyker dealer

04 Jan 2007

Dubai: Dutch carmaker Spyker has appointed Al Tayer Motors its exclusive dealer for the UAE, the company said in a statement.

"Spyker is proud to announce the establishment of its regional office in Dubai, called Spyker of the Middle East," the statement said.

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars, said in a statement: "These are exciting times for Spyker. Spykers are much in demand in the Middle East which is a very promising and important market.

"Therefore Spyker has opened a regional office named Spyker of the Middle East. Our first step is to create a high quality dealer network. The appointment of Al Tayer Motors as exclusive distributor for the UAE is a phenomenal partnership to build the brand on."

Spyker Cars was present for the first time at last month's Abu Dhabi International Motorshow, displaying four of its models: the Spyker C8 Spyder, the Spyker C8 Laviolette, the Spyker C12 LaTurbie and its newest model: the Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris.

Timeless elegance

Saeed Al Tayer, managing director of Al Tayer Motors, said: "The perfection and timeless elegance of Spyker cars makes it the perfect product for the car connoisseur of the UAE.

"As an automotive benchmark of craftsmanship, design and exclusivity it is a desirable and exciting car with an unparalleled ownership experience. We are proud to represent Spyker cars in the country ."

The cars were developed with the support of Mub-adala Development Company, a principal investment company wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, that holds a 16 per cent interest in Spyker Cars. MerchantBridge Group, a London based Saudi Arabian investment group, holds a seven per cent stake.

"As a consequence currently some 23 per cent of our shares, which are traded at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange Euronext Amsterdam, are in the hands of Middle East investors," Salah Al Mutawa, Spyker's director of sales and marketing for the Middle East said.

Spyker's revenues more than tripled from 4 million euros in June 2005 to 12.8 million euros a year later. "For the first time in its brief history the company is operationally cash flow positive at 1.3 million euros as of June 30, 2006," according to the company.

The company delivered 43 cars during the first six months of last year, an increase of 537 per cent compared to just eight during the first half of 2005. The order book has increased to 302 from 151 in June 2006.

Al Tayer Motors represents major European and American automobile manufacturers Jaguar, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Ferrari, Maserati, Land Rover and DAF Trucks throughout the UAE. It also represents Rover vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

In Abu Dhabi, Land Rover, Jaguar, Ford, Mercury and Lincoln are represented by Al Tayer Motors through its subsidiary, Premier Motors.

Prices and specifications

Spyker's Super Sports Utility Vehicle (SSUV), the Spyker D12 Peking-to-Paris' retail price is expected to start at Dh1,105,000 excluding tax.

The Spyker C8 Spyder (convertible) and the Spyker C8 Laviolette (coupe) both have an all aluminum Audi V8 engine, a power output of 400 Bhp and a torque of 480 Nm.

The Spyker C8 range has a manual six-speed gearbox, rear wheel drive with limited slip differential and ABS. The top speed is 300 km/h with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

The ex factory price for the C8 Spyder starts at Dh995,000. The ex factory price for the C8 Laviolette starts at Dh1,125,000.

For those who prefer an automatic gearbox, the Audi V8 engined Spyker C8 Double12 S is available from Dh1,222,000.