Camilla Jessen
The Dutch car brand is resurfacing after a lengthy bankruptcy case.
After decades of failed revivals and a fraud case against its founder, legendary Dutch car brand has finally been sold.
But the buyer remains a mystery.
A Brand That Refused to Die
Spyker, the Dutch luxury sports car maker with roots dating back to the early 20th century, has long been synonymous with ambition, design—and collapse.
The company has now gone through 22 separate bankruptcies, each followed by promises of revival.
Unnamed Buyer
But now there is a breakthrough.
The Spyker name and trademark rights have officially been sold to a new, unnamed owner, Dutch business media RTL Z reports.
Repeated Comebacks, Repeated Failures
Spyker has flirted with resurrection multiple times, most recently in 2021, when a new relaunch was announced and plans were set for production by the following year.
That effort, like many before it, failed to materialize.
From Visionary to Mounting Debt
At the center of it all was Victor Muller, Spyker’s high-profile founder and former CEO.
Muller was once hailed for his ambitious business plans like acquiring Saab during General Motors’ sell-off.
But the same grand plans that won him headlines eventually led to spiraling debt, legal battles, and the gradual collapse of Spyker’s operations.
Fraud Allegations Against Victor Muller
The turning point came when the trustee managing Spyker’s bankruptcy estate accused Muller of “inappropriate management,” raising the possibility that he could be held personally liable for the brand’s massive debts.
The fraud accusations, while still under legal scrutiny, pressured Muller to give up control over the brand he once championed.
Additional Lawsuits on the Horizon
Muller, now residing in Spain, has reportedly not responded to inquiries from the trustee, who described his behavior as “nonchalant.”
Additional lawsuits against him may still be on the horizon.
Who Owns Spyker Now?
Despite the fanfare surrounding the sale, the identity of the new buyer has not been disclosed.
According to the trustee, the name will only be released once a Dutch judge formally approves the transaction.
What is known, however, is that the deal is “excellent for the creditors”, offering a strong possibility that Spyker’s outstanding debts may be repaid before the end of the year.
What’s Next for the Brand?
With new ownership secured, speculation now turns to the future of Spyker.
Will the new owners revive the iconic C8 model? Or will they steer the brand into new ventures such as Formula 1 or aerospace?
At this point, it’s unclear.
But the new owner inherits a name with rich heritage and deep challenges. Building a car brand from scratch is notoriously difficult, even for those with deep pockets.
A Warning from VinFast
Spyker’s relaunch comes as other ambitious car startups struggle.
The Vietnamese EV company VinFast, despite being backed by Vietnam’s richest man, recently reported a loss of over $626 million in just three months.
