Artega sold to Mexican beer baroness

Artega GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Considering everything that’s gone down with the world economy in the last two years, you couldn’t pick a worse time to launch a new exotic car brand. But that’s exactly what the Paragon Parts Group did when it trotted out the Artega GT a few years back.

Powered by a Volkswagen-sourced V6 mounted amidships and sending over 300 horsepower to the rear wheels through dual-clutch gearbox, the Henrik Fisker-designed $90,000 (estimated) coupe went on sale last year in Europe, but failed to set the world – or the motoring press – on fire.

So when a little birdie told us last month that Klaus Frers, owner of both Paragon and Artega, was looking to sell all his interests in Artega, we weren’t entirely surprised. Fast-forward to today, and it’s official: Mexican private investor Tresalia Capital (which has held a stake in Artega since October of 2008), has taken completed control of the automaker.

Interestingly, Tesalia Capital is one of Mexico’s leading investment firms and is headed-up by Linda Alvarado, considered the country’s most powerful woman. How powerful? She’s the granddaughter of Grupo Modelo co-founder Felix Aramburuzabala, the company responsible for your favorite Mexican brews (Corona, Modelo and Pacifica).

According to the release after the jump, production of the Artega GT will continue, with 500 units being built each year in Delbrück, Germany, and Dieter Frers giving up control of the company to Wolfgang Ziebart, a former chairman of Infineon and ex-BMW engineer. And no, there’s no word yet on U.S. sales.

Gallery: Artega GT – Production Version