“Mercedes doesn’t have the biggest record when it pertains to long-lasting relationships”
It’s been a turbulent year for Aston Martin, as well as it ain’t over yet. Last week’s statement about additionally investment, better ties with Mercedes-Benz as well as a new product method was meant to calm fears among the company’s shareholders as well as excite customers.
So why do I feel so uneasy about it all? The ever-closer ties with Mercedes-Benz may seem like a great thing on the deal with of it – nobody, least of all Aston Martin, can go it alone in the 21st century – however I’m not sure what this most current statement provides the British business over as well as above the offer that was struck in 2013.
Aston Martin DBX vs Bentley Bentayga
Back then it was about engines as well as “the utilize of specific elements of electric/electronic architecture” in return for five per cent of the business. now it’s “world-class technologies, including powertrain design (for conventional, hybrid as well as electric vehicles) as well as future-orientated electric/electronic architecture”, however in exchange for as much as 20 per cent of the company.
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Sure, this new offer once again cuts Aston’s R&D costs, however it’s still a industrial connection that has to be paid for. The new offer has an end date, too: 2027. At which time, I’m guessing, one more offer will be struck with maybe another, larger, chunk of Aston heading Stuttgart’s way.
My concerns are twofold. Firstly, there’s the higher influence Merc will have over the Aston Martin business. as well as let’s be honest, Mercedes doesn’t have the biggest record when it pertains to long-lasting relationships. Chrysler, McLaren, Mitsubishi as well as Tesla all spring to mind.
Secondly, when it pertains to genuinely comprehending what makes Aston Martin different, as well as building that all-important connection with existing as well as future customers, we’re yet to see any type of indications of either from the new administration team of chairman, garments tycoon as well as F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll, as well as his new CEO, former Mercedes guy Tobias Moers. Aston fans (including us), owners, prospective owners as well as investors are waiting.
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