Just wondering..

Thanks

 

I believe Ford has announced in August that they were looking to sell AM out of their Premier Automotive Group.

The media has speculated on several potential buyers who may or may not have expressed interest. That is where things are, as I understand it - with no announced deal or final transaction completed yet. Deal value range I've read is in the $1.2B ballpark for AM.

The latest news coming out of UK newspapers is that bidding is in the second round and these are three of the bidders remaining: Magna International of Canada, private equity firm Permira and Syrian property tycoon Simon Halabi.

http://www.caranddriver.com/dailyaut...on-martin.html

 

 

Seems Ford thinks they're gone, they have already allowed Jag to build a racer to compete against the db9's in the GT3 races...

Lou

 

I was recently informed that they are a self sufficient body at this time. This was just word of mouth but he sounded like he knew what he was talking about but take it for what thats worth.

 

A recent auto mag said they are financially a success and "independent" although still owned by Ford - and because of that Ford is asking a very high price.

 

Aston is doing great however Ford still denies it plans on selling the company. Don't know if AM will still be doing so well when sold because they'll no longer be able to use Ford R&D facilities etc.

 

why sell Aston Martin, sell something that is bringing in less money to the table. I know Jaguar is not doing so well, why not axe jag instead of aston?

 

The current astons out are a disgrace to the brand "Aston Martin". The DB9 is a POS in the deepest meaning. The 6 speed in it absolutly sucks. The V12 is barely able to out run a E46 m3 and the interior feels tacky and cheap. Try closing the door with the side window down. Sounds like your closing the door to a front loader or chevy cavalier. IMO, until Ford is no longer playing a apart the brand will continue to loose buyers.

 

Not sure I know what you are talking about. Have you ever owned a DB9? As a DB9 owner, it's nothing like what you describe. The interior is of the highest quality (handmade bamboo, leather, suede, aluminum and crystal starter button - its gorgeous. The v12 has 490hp and massive torque - it just pulls and pulls. One of the best cars I've ever owned -

 

I haven't driven the DB9, but i've driven in one. It wasn't very impressive in my opinion. Both windows were rolled down when I closed the door lightly it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The low gloss wood on the doors also looked very tacky. The leather work also wasn't very impressive when compared to ther cars in it's price range. The Vanquish was the biggest disappointment to me. The window switches were identical to those found in the Ford F150 - it's a $300,000 car after all. Not to mention the resale value of the Vanquish is one of the worse. The sequential gear box in the Vanquish S is still as bad as it was in the original Vanquish that debuted in late 2001. The 6 speed manual gear box in the DB9 isn't favored by many as well.

The evidence of cost cutting is visible all over. I love Aston Martin and always have, the new designs are great, but the quality just isn't there. I think most will agree as well - espacially if you compare the Aston to other cars in it's class/price range.

 

You are right on the Vanquish - remnants of Ford and Jag all over the place. I agree, a terrible interior. I find the DB9 to be very different.

 

The DBS actually had my jeans steaming. It looks very good - I hope the attention to detail and quality is there as well. The Vanquish needs to go. I really hope Ford sells Aston to someone who can truely revive them. Their designs and history is excellent, the mystiq is there, the quality just isn't. Same goes for Jaguar. Ford ruined that brand with their crappy marketing, lazy design team, and cost cutting. The only good thing they brought to the table is realibilty.

I think I over did it in my first post. It sounds like I hate Aston Martin, I don't, I love them. I just feel the quality can be a bit better for a $250k car. The DB9 is perfect asthetically. I actually might go take a ride in a new 07, the one I sat in was a 2005 with 7k.

 

Yes but a great company is not necessarily a great investment....Its all about cash flow and NPV

 

It was sold to consortium headed by Prodrive, a financial guy from Texas, and some oil-money guys in the Gulf. Ulrich Bez will still run the show, so business should continue as usual.