Supercar maker Spyker starts production in UK

By Tim Pollard

Motor Industry

10 February 2010 12:29

Spyker is having a busy 2010. Last month it closed the deal to buy Saab from GM; today it built its first car at the new UK factory after relocating from Holland.

Spyker Cars is quitting production in the Netherlands to manufacture cars in Coventry – nearer its main supply base in the Midlands.

The new Spyker facility switches assembly of the Aileron supercar from Zeewolde to a new 20,000sq ft plant at CPP Manufacturing in Wheler Road, Coventry. The first car went into production today. CPP is recruiting a further 40 staff to work on the Spyker project, taking the total workforce to 150.

Spykers made in Britain. Whatever next?

Company founder Victor Muller vows the move to the UK won't dent the leftfield appeal of the Spyker supercars. 'This move makes sense on many different levels,' he said. 'CPP has been producing our body panels for 10 years and we have an extremely close working relationship with the company. More than half our components are sourced from the UK, so moving here will bring us considerable efficiency savings which is vital for a car company of our size.'

CPP produced the first prototype cars for Spyker when Muller resurrected the brand in 2000 and still manufactures the complete aluminium chassis and bodies for all Spyker road and race cars.

Spyker has a long history stretching back to 1875, when it operated as a coachbuilder. It built its first road car in 1898.

By Tim Pollard