(Tue 02 Feb 10)

Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker has given details of what it plans to do with Saab if the deal to buy the company from General Motors is confirmed.

Although it intends to change its name to Saab Spyker Automobiles, the two brands will be operated as separate companies, and there is a Saab Business Plan which involves a completely renewed product line. The 9-5 replacement is due for launch this summer, the 9-4X (built in Mexico) should follow early next year, and the next-generation 9-3 - much more up-to-date than the current one, which is based on the Vauxhall Vectra platform - should arrive in 2010.

The Business Plan requires funding of just over $1 billion, of which $200 million consists of estimated cash in the bank at the time the deal goes through. A further $326 million will be raised from GM in return for Redeemable Preference Shares, while $556 million (or, more precisely, €400 million) will be loaned by the European Investment Bank. The loan, on which the entire project depends, has not yet been confirmed, though as previously reported the Swedish Government has agreed to act as guarantor for it.

Spyker is also considering the possibility of introducing a new, smaller model called the 9-1, but this depends largely on the continued health of the small-car market. The 9-1 is not included in the Business Plan, and will almost certainly require extra funding.

Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter.

Saab Gallery
Saab Road Tests

Previous: Renault Reveals Wind Roadster                             Next: More No-VAT Skodas