Auto exotica - Recently opened Spyker dealership sells the ultimate in personalised sports cars to the fabulously wealthy
source: The Nation September 12, 2007
Ed note: Spyker C8 Spyder photo courtesy www.spykercars-thailand.com
One of Thailand's most recent car dealerships exists solely to provide exquisite playthings for the ridiculously rich. And when you learn that its managing director is a woman who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology, you could be forgiven for wondering where the motoring world is headed.
But Vitchuda Leenutaphong, managing director of SL International Automobiles, is deadly serious about her business, which is aimed at importing and servicing one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive sports cars: the Spyker.
Although the Spyker name has existed in automotive history since 1898, the original Dutch company ceased trading in 1925. In the first quarter of the 20th century, it produced aircraft and luxury automobiles that were famous for their reliability and engineering. Seventy-five years later, the Spyker C8 Spyder was unveiled at the 2000 Birmingham Motor Show, and the resurrected company reclaimed its niche foothold in the supercar market.
Since its revival, Spyker has maintained a constant presence in motor racing, in order to show its dedication and include more on-track technology into its cars. The company has been involved in the 24-hour Le Mans race and has owned and operated a Formula One racing team.
"I believe there is definitely a market for a product like the Spyker in Thailand," Vitchuda says. "It's important to remember that the Spyker cannot be compared with a Lamborghini or Ferrari. With those brands, you may choose the type of leather and colour of the other upholstery, but Spyker provides you with many more personal, tailor-made options, and every detail is important to us."
With a bachelor's degree in social work, a master's in English and pursuing a doctorate in social work, Vitchuda might not sound like a person bent on selling high-performance cars. But her family has a history in the automotive industry, and the Spyker cannot be regarded as simply a sports car, so think again.
"When we were first considering bringing exotic cars to Thailand, we looked around at foreign motor shows. One option with the Spyker that attracted me immensely was the Louis Vuitton bags that come with the car and are designed to fit perfectly into the boot. There's also the Chrono Swiss interior design. This shows that all Spyker cars are pieces of art. All of the upholstery is hand-stitched, and even the car's exhaust note can be tuned to suit the likes of the owner. Since Spyker was previously an aircraft company, there are many points of styling that mimic the interior of an aircraft," Vitchuda says.
After ordering a Spyker, the owner-in-waiting is provided with a personalised Web page that lists every important detail about his car. The car's "build sheet" is updated each time work is done on the car, so that the owner can keep track of progress. Via a Web cam, the owner can even use the Web page to watch his car being built.
Of the six different models offered by Spyker, Vitchuda's company focuses on the C8 Spyder, C8 Double 12 and C8 Laviolette. Other models will be sold if requested.
Already, two units have been sold: a C12 Laturbie costing Bt55 million and a C8 Double 12 costing Bt43.5 million.
The owners have asked to remain anonymous.
The company hopes to sell three or four more units this year.
Vitchuda says Spyker buyers have reached a financial state where they are unaffected by the country's economic and political situation. She does not mention bank balances but does say there are more than 100 people in Thailand able to buy a Spyker.
"Our customers are people who definitely like fast cars and enjoy the idea of having a Spyker in their collection, although it may not be the car they drive very often. Another factor is the uniqueness that Spyker provides, because each one is custom-built. While other manufacturers of exotic sports cars produce in the thousands, Spyker produces 400-500 units per year, ensuring exclusivity," she says.
In Bangkok, the company has a Spyker showroom on Surasak Road and a service centre in Sukhumvit Soi 101. All staff responsible for maintaining the cars are trained at Spyker's headquarters in the Netherlands. A service person is guaranteed on site within 48 hours upon request, and all parts are imported from the Netherlands.
Vitchuda says the next step is wider public recognition for Spyker in Thailand, so that more people know of its existence.
Meanwhile, Thailand is the only Asean country with a Spyker dealership. China is the biggest market for the exotic cars in Asia, with more than 80 units sold there each year. Total investment for SL International Automobiles' Spyker's dealership in Thailand was Bt100 million.
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