Spyker books first ever profit

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AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch luxury sports car maker Spyker Cars said on Friday it had realised its first net profit since it was founded in 2000.

The maker of two-seaters that retail from around 250,000 euros (170,000 pounds) said 2006 net profit was 800,000 euros, with revenue of 36 million euros.

Total production in 2006 rose to 94 cars from 48 in the previous year. Total production is expected to increase in 2007 compared to 2006, the company said in a statement.

Spykey, whose roots reach back more than 100 years to a family auto shop that once built the Golden State Coach for the Dutch royal family, said its order backlog rose to 327 cars.

Reborn in 2000 and targeting the "super-car" market niche, Spyker competes with top end sports cars such as Bugatti, Lotus, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Ferrari.

The original Spyker had competed with Rolls-Royce before going bankrupt in 1926.

Spyker acquired the Midland Formula One Team in 2006.

Reuters