The Bugatti Dilemma

[F Spider]

Spyker is currently suffering under the Bugatti Dilemma. To built a Veyron, it costs VW $5MM, and they can sell them for $1.2MM. Development cost are so high that if you have to spread it over a limited amount of cars, its hard to get profitable.

Not knowing any real figures, I figure that they need to built around 250 cars per year to break even. In 2006 that number seemed to be attainable, but before you have reached that point, you need to attract investors to cover the losses.

2007 has been a tough year, and the F1 adventure has given the name Spyker a lot of exposure, but the F1 income that they were counting on did not materialize until the weekend that the sale of the team became final.

Without F1 points, teams are missing out on television rights income and travel money. Together I think that would be roughly 10MM Euro. Surprisingly just the amount they were short for the 2007 season.

Nobody is talking about the "painful" fact that they did end up with a point, but I think that is why, in the final deal, they did get more money for the team.

Anyway, until the additional financing is in place, its going to be hard to produce cars to capacity.

[bucciali]

I am really hoping that the new structure will benefit the road division of Spyker. Exposure in the US is getting bigger and bigger and more cars are showing up in public over there. If this boosts C8 sales it would be really good, so that production capacity can be maximised and Spyker can improve their sustainability and work on the new models.

[Kevin Slegg]

Indeed - here's hoping things pick up

[F Spider]

Last week at the factory, things seem to be picking up again. Its good to see that they have parts enough to build cars. Interestingly it seems that there are more Laviolettes built than Spyders.

[Mel Bonkers]

Originally Posted by F Spider

Last week at the factory, things seem to be picking up again. Its good to see that they have parts enough to build cars. Interestingly it seems that there are more Laviolettes built than Spyders.

And I can confirm that! .

[SpykerX3]

Keep in mind that Bugatti KNEW they were going to lose money on that car. They slated only 300 to be built. Of that, only 150 are sold (as of October, 2007 anyways). The brand awareness and things that go along with that are what they are hoping to bank on. So far, so good.

Also, I can tell you that there are significant changes from the early, middle, and now later model cars. My first one (05 Spyder with a hard top) had the cool steering wheel, four point harness, only two air vents (important when you live in Phoenix!) and a VERY stiff clutch was an amazing car that I wish I still had. The second one included a lot of nice features like wide body, softer breaks, turning radius, lights, etc. The third one (#152) has all the bells and whistles. Radio, navigation, supercharger, paddle shifting, and most importantly an air bag. Wait a second... That is the forth one I want.... They don't make that one yet!! Honestly though, hit me up if you want to talk about these differences. I have spent a considerable amount of time with the executives and can possibly provide insight to any questions you may have. These are more works of art than they are cars. I have a total of 12,000 miles or so logged on mine so far (if I had to guess).

Dan

[F Spider]

Dan,

Welcome to the website. We are so happy to get multiple owners on the site. Especially in the public section. There are many fans that love to hear about your experiences and insights.

I just sent you an email and I did send an SMS to Victor to get you access to the exclusive owner section.

[F Spider]

Originally Posted by SpykerX3

Radio, navigation, supercharger, paddle shifting, and most importantly an air bag. Wait a second... That is the forth one I want.... They don't make that one yet!!

The latest I heard was that they were not considering paddle shifting any more. It will be a full automatic with manual override. A supercharger is in the works, but I think a change of engine manufacturer is more likely. It will be hard to hide a radio and navigation into a minimalist design, but I don't know anything about if they are considering it. I do know that the new C8 LWB will have an automatic top and power brakes.

[SpykerX3]

I actually had a really nice stereo in 088. The techs from Holland came out and installed it for me. 152 will be getting a pretty kicking system since it has been decided that it will not see a track. I WILL get a navigation system this bad boy. I'll post some pictures of the radio I had in it if anyone wants to see it. I also have some advice on how to do it and more importantly... what NOT to do...

A supercharger was being installed in a C8 in Portland the last time I checked. I'm not sure how that is going though... The first I heard of it was a year ago and then again in Indy when I met up with the F1 team. They were still working on it at that time. I agree that a new engine is likely... I really like the one in there and the tranny is superb for this set up. If they swap the engine they will likely have to swap the transmission as well and I'm not sure how I feel about that. This engine has plenty of power at 400 HP given the weight of the car. I'm more impressed with a HP:Weight ratio than I am about a pure HP battle. My favorite car to track to date is the Lotus Elise for that reason... Oh well.

The f-1 style shifting was a pipe dream anyways. They don't have the budget to obtain one and development costs are just not worth it. This car was not meant to be raced so why fight it.

[pterps]

Welcome to the forum Dan, as Rijk said, the fans love to here the story's of the owners as the Spyker are still very rare all over the world (except for me, living pretty close to the factory ). I am amazed that you already had 3 C8's, what colors?
I would love to see some pics, but I am curious how often you make use of one during a trip?