Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Spyker and Lotus sign cooperative agreement
Lotus and Spyker have worked together on a variety of projects over the past four years, but today, they've announced a new partnership that will further solidify both automaker's technical and design prowess. As its name would imply, the "Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement" involves Lotus supplying both elements to Spyker, helping to build the Dutch supercar producer's new C8 Aileron and possible the D12 Peking-to-Paris SSUV. According to AutoCar, that could mean that future Spyker's could be based of the Lotus Esprit and that Lotus will increase its stake in the development of Spyker's cars.
PRESS RELEASE
Spyker Cars N.V. and Lotus Cars Ltd., of Hethel, England, announce the signing of a cooperation agreement.
Spyker and Lotus have reached agreement today on the outline of their intended cooperation, which will include a Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement (PPCA), a Parts and Accessories Supply Agreement pursuant to which Lotus would provide certain parts for Spyker's new C8 Aileron super sportscar, and a concept Design and Engineering Agreement relating to all of Spyker's future models.
The parties' objective is to reduce costs of parts and components by sharing technology.
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars comments: "Our company has had a very fruitful cooperation with Lotus, developed over the past four years, relating to engineering services in respect of certain components of our cars, as well as in respect of worldwide certification. Spyker and Lotus have now come to the conclusion that they need to intensify their cooperation to the point that we intend to share parts and platforms, as well as an agreement on the supply of parts. Moreover, Lotus Engineering has become Spyker's preferred subcontractor in respect of a number of engineering projects relating to the Spyker C8 Aileron and the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris.
Michael Kimberley, CEO of Lotus Cars, added: "Lotus is very pleased to be identified as Spyker's preferred Engineering supplier for these unique "high Brand Image" ground breaking cars. We look forward to working with Spyker to expand our global business opportunities, projects and interests for our mutually synergistic Products and Technologies. Lotus Engineering has a great heritage and solid track record in developing innovative solutions for clients and we look forward to using Lotus' advanced light weight vehicle know-how and vehicle dynamics technology to enable Spyker to establish itself as a dynamic premium automotive player."