Aston Martin: Sales, Marketing, and Financial News
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Aston Martin: Sales, Marketing, and Financial News
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/...e-go-rallying/
Aston Martin Racing — a partnership between Prodrive and Aston Martin — has developed what they call the "world's most exclusive rally car." Called the Aston Martin Rally GT. the car is designed for independent rally teams with more-than-modest budgets.
As part of its development program, the Rally GT has already competed in three French Rally Championship events, coming second in the Series GT class on its debut at the Lyon to Charbonniers Rally. As with the DBR9, the Rally GT uses a standard road car chassis which is fitted with a Prodrive-designed roll cage for safety and increased torsional rigidity. The engine is closely based on the all alloy road car 4.3 litre V8 unit but has been tuned to make it more flexible and responsive for the demands of rallying. Gallery after the jump…
As part of its development program, the Rally GT has already competed in three French Rally Championship events, coming second in the Series GT class on its debut at the Lyon to Charbonniers Rally. As with the DBR9, the Rally GT uses a standard road car chassis which is fitted with a Prodrive-designed roll cage for safety and increased torsional rigidity. The engine is closely based on the all alloy road car 4.3 litre V8 unit but has been tuned to make it more flexible and responsive for the demands of rallying. Gallery after the jump…
I thought the same thing when I first saw it.
Pro
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Uh, rallying? As in that offroad drifting tree smacking bone crunching thing with Evos and WRXs driven by people with funny sounding names? It's tarmac only, right? Because otherwise it would get expensive reaaal quick, and those don't look like knobbly tires to me.
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but it didn't stop them from doing it.
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Aston Martin: Inks deal with Bang & Olufsen
From Leftlanenews...
Aston Martin has announced a new partnership with Danish high-end stereo maker Bang & Olufsen. The stereo maker's stock rose in anticipation of the deal being inked with a larger automaker — it was believed that Mercedes-Benz would be the partnering automaker — but Bang & Olufsen's shares fell 4% after Aston Martin was announced as the partner.
Bang & Olufsen already has a similar deal with Audi.
This week has been a busy one for the British automaker, with the announcement of a new design studio and the unveiling of its V12 Vantage RS.
Bang & Olufsen already has a similar deal with Audi.
This week has been a busy one for the British automaker, with the announcement of a new design studio and the unveiling of its V12 Vantage RS.
Who buys an AM for the sound system?
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Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz: Could team up on projects?
From Leftlanenews...
Aston Martin could cooperate with Mercedes-Benz on everything from engines to whole vehicles, said Adham Charanoglu, business development manager for Investment Dar, which owns most of Aston Martin.
Investment Dar, along with other investors, purchased Aston from Ford last year.
While no specific details about plans or even talks between the companies were disclosed, Charanoglu's candid commentary on the matter suggests some type of affiliation is on the table.
Despite his ambiguity on automotive projects, Charanoglu disclosed Aston Martin is talking with Mercedes, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci about co-branded merchandise. He said Aston wants to grow its $100 million merchandising business to $300 million by 2009, according to Automotive News.
He also noted the company would be increasing production slightly from 7,000 units a year to 8,000. The move won't do much to decrease wait times, however.
"If you have the money, you have to wait. Otherwise you will not feel attached to your car," Charanoglu said.
Investment Dar, along with other investors, purchased Aston from Ford last year.
While no specific details about plans or even talks between the companies were disclosed, Charanoglu's candid commentary on the matter suggests some type of affiliation is on the table.
Despite his ambiguity on automotive projects, Charanoglu disclosed Aston Martin is talking with Mercedes, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci about co-branded merchandise. He said Aston wants to grow its $100 million merchandising business to $300 million by 2009, according to Automotive News.
He also noted the company would be increasing production slightly from 7,000 units a year to 8,000. The move won't do much to decrease wait times, however.
"If you have the money, you have to wait. Otherwise you will not feel attached to your car," Charanoglu said.
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Originally Posted by stright-(paint)balling
could this mean Ford Motor thinking about dumping Aston Martin to Benz.
we all know Ford Motor needs money BAD.
at minimum this is a interesting team.
we all know Ford Motor needs money BAD.
at minimum this is a interesting team.
The sizzle in the Steak
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Mercedes-Benz to buy Aston Martin?
A new report from the U.K. suggests Mercedes-Benz is looking to buy heavily into Aston Martin. The news is not confirmed, but is alleged to come from well-placed sources in Germany. There have been reports of the two working together as recently as March, including Aston's interest in MB's hybrid technology and mention of the two teaming up on projects, so there may be some truth to that. Furthermore, the recent news of Mercedes stopping SLR production and separating from McLaren is also a possible indication.
Aston Martin's majority shareholder is Kuwait-based Investment Dar, and Kuwaiti Investment Authority owns seven percent of Daimler AG, MB's parent, according to Autocar's report. With only three models in its line-up — the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage — Aston Martin is a relatively small automaker and could certainly use the cash infusion and collaboration involved with a bigger manufacturer such as Mercedes.
If this news is to be trusted and the deal goes through, expect the next-generation aluminum-chassis SL to be a basis for an Aston Martin flagship as well, and other models with very similar mechanical specs.
Aston Martin's majority shareholder is Kuwait-based Investment Dar, and Kuwaiti Investment Authority owns seven percent of Daimler AG, MB's parent, according to Autocar's report. With only three models in its line-up — the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage — Aston Martin is a relatively small automaker and could certainly use the cash infusion and collaboration involved with a bigger manufacturer such as Mercedes.
If this news is to be trusted and the deal goes through, expect the next-generation aluminum-chassis SL to be a basis for an Aston Martin flagship as well, and other models with very similar mechanical specs.
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Originally Posted by titan
Very interesting. I think it'd be a good match. With Maybach ultimately a failure, MB could help position Aston to further compete with Ferrari, Bently and Acura.
Burning Brakes
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From: Irvine, CA
Originally Posted by LotusTracker
looks like they are both trying to achieve ultimate unreliability. 
has Gloryhole Girls in
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From: Ballston Lake, NY
Originally Posted by FutureBagdA4
Actually, all of the most recent Benzes have doing extremely well reliability wise. The W221 and W204 are built VERY solid and have seen almost no issues.
I know I own I e and it has been issue free I was being sarcastic
Acura TLS are SLOW
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From: Hamilton, NJ
Originally Posted by FutureBagdA4
Actually, all of the most recent Benzes have doing extremely well reliability wise. The W221 and W204 are built VERY solid and have seen almost no issues.
Burning Brakes
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From: Irvine, CA
Originally Posted by MotionEffects
Give it a another year and things will start to fail.
Fahrvergnügen'd
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by FutureBagdA4
Don't get me wrong. The 220, 211, and 163 were all plagued with issues, but Mercedes really has their shit together now.
:shakehead
The sizzle in the Steak
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Aston Martin not for sale just yet
Aston Martin not for sale just yet
Despite recent rumors from Germany of Mercedes-Benz buying Aston Martin, executives from the British marque said on Monday they're not going to sell "all or part of the company." Aston's new management team has, however, been involved in talks regarding sharing technical developing costs or components with a number of global vehicle manufacturers.
According to an Autocar report, shares in the luxury carmaker could be offered in an Initial Public Offering on the open market within five years, though no other details were mentioned.
Rumors of Mercedes' interest in Aston first came in February, then again on technology sharing in March, with the latest coming last week.
Despite recent rumors from Germany of Mercedes-Benz buying Aston Martin, executives from the British marque said on Monday they're not going to sell "all or part of the company." Aston's new management team has, however, been involved in talks regarding sharing technical developing costs or components with a number of global vehicle manufacturers.
According to an Autocar report, shares in the luxury carmaker could be offered in an Initial Public Offering on the open market within five years, though no other details were mentioned.
Rumors of Mercedes' interest in Aston first came in February, then again on technology sharing in March, with the latest coming last week.
