Is Mercedes Planning to Take Over Aston Martin

Daimler currently owns five percent of Aston Martin, and now according to a new rumor, Mercedes may consider buying the entire company

Daimler currently owns five percent of Aston Martin, and now, according to a new rumor, Mercedes may consider buying the entire company.  Leading the rumors was the lack of response from Mercedes-Benz leader, Dieter Zetsche.  He did not rule out the possibility of acquiring Aston Martin, but, he didn’t confirm it either. Simply stating, “This is a fantastic brand, and we are willing to support its further development,”

Aston Martin was sold by Ford several years ago, so a buyout by Daimler would mean a huge boost to the company.  Even as it stands now with their current deal, AMG will develop a new V8 engine, manufactured in Germany, that will be used by Aston Martin for the next generation Vantage.

If there is a takeover, it would open up several new opportunities for Aston Martin, including the resurrection of its Lagonda SUV, which would likely be based on the Mercede-Benz GL.

Source: AutoCar

Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, Porsche 911 GT3 and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

Mercedes C63 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3 or the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S - Which would you rather?

The Mercedes C63 AMG, the Porsche 911 GT3 or the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, which is best choice for the track and on the road, and which one would you choose?  For me, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the C63 AMG is my favorite AMG, make it a Black Series and no other car in its class can really compare.  Just listen to the engine, it should win based on sound alone.

But if my love of the C63 AMG Black Series isn’t enough for you and you still want to find out how they compare, Chris Harris puts all three in a head-to-head challenge through England in his latest /DRIVE video.  Check it out below.

Daimler and Aston Martin Sign Technical Partnership Agreement

The technical partnership will allow Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin to develop bespoke V8 engines

Daimler AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. have signed an agreement for a significant technical partnership between Daimler, Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Aston Martin.

Following the signing of a Letter of Intent in July this year, the two companies have continued to work together, exploring opportunities for co-operation and these discussions have resulted in the signing of definitive agreements.

The technical partnership will allow Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin to develop bespoke V8 engines supporting Aston Martin’s launch of a next generation of models that will incorporate cutting edge technology and newly-developed engines, combining high performance and fuel efficiency.

Daimler will receive up to five percent non-voting shares in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership. At the same time, the company will receive an observer status on the Aston Martin Holdings board. Daimler joins Aston Martin’s existing shareholder body that includes Prime Wagon, Adeem Investment and Investindustrial.

The parties are working to conclude the terms of an additional cooperation for the supply of electric/electronic (e/e) components. Furthermore, the two groups will investigate additional areas of cooperation in the future. Aston Martin will continue to manufacture all of its sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “By signing the Umbrella Agreement and the Engine Agreement both parties have agreed to this technical partnership: Mercedes-AMG will provide the British icon Aston Martin with engines for their forthcoming sports cars. At our company´s headquarters in Affalterbach we are proud to work with Aston Martin – this agreement is a real win-win situation for both sides.”

A spokesperson for the Aston Martin board said: “Our company is this year celebrating its centenary, and the partnership agreed today underpins prospects for Aston Martin’s bright, vibrant and dynamic second century in the sports car business. This strategic collaboration for Aston Martin will, in our next generation of luxury sports cars, offer our customers increased performance and state-of-the-art features whilst retaining the unique character and style of an Aston Martin.”

Mercedes and Aston Martin Ink Partnership Deal

Supply agreements for AMG engines and Mercedes Electric / Electronic components in return for up to 5% equity in Aston Martin

Daimler AG’s high performance brand and subsidiary, Mercedes-AMG GmbH have entered into a technical partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd signing, a Letter of Intent today. The main focus of the partnership is for supply agreements between Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz Cars and Aston Martin. Mercedes-AMG will supply Aston Martin with engines, while Mercedes-Benz Cars will provide the British luxury sports car manufacturer with e/e (electric/electronic) components for Aston Martin’s future models.

What does Daimler get out of the deal? Daimler will receive up to 5% equity in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership. At the same time, the company will receive an observer status in the Board of Management of Aston Martin. Based on the Letter of Intent, both parties have the intention to work towards signing of definitive agreements during the second half of the year. The overall transaction is subject to the conclusion on definitive agreement and applicable regulatory approvals, if required.

Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides.”

Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards said: “We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news.”

More news will come but both parties have agreed on non-disclosure of further details of the planned partnership for the time being.

Daimler Confirms Aston Martin Partnership Possibility

Daimler AG is in early talks with Aston Martin on supply and technical-cooperation agreements

Daimler AG spokeswoman, Silke Walters, confirmed that the German manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz luxury autos, is in early talks with Aston Martin on supply and technical-cooperation agreements. But, declining to go into specific details, Walters said that “while both sides know and respect each other very much, no decisions have been made”.  Discussions also involve Aston Martin owners Investindustrial Advisers SpA and Investment Dar Co., Walters said.

After years of talks between Daimler and Aston Martin, the deal is now being pushed as London-based Investindustrial, a European private-equity fund that acquired 37.5 percent holding in Aston Martin for $250 million, prefers Daimler as their partner for a supply deal.  This according to a person familiar with the discussions said. Even with Investindustrial’s preference towards Daimler, a final agreement isn’t imminent, the same person said, asking to remain anonymous due to the private nature of the talks.

Aston Martin is the only global luxury auto brand that does not belong to a larger manufacturing group, making it extremely difficult to match competitors’ lower costs for creating models. With its new backing by Investindustrial, Aston Martin laid out its plans to invest $777 million over the next four years in order to compete with Volkswagen AG’s Bentley and Fiat SpA’s Ferrari and Maserati. Via: Bloomberg

Future of Maybach to Be Decided at the End of July

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche confirmed this month that Daimler has been in discussions with Aston Martin

Daimler, Mercedes-Benz’ parent company, decided to delay their decision regarding the future of their super luxury brand, Maybach. The decision of whether to turn Maybach into a subbrand of Mercedes-Benz will be delayed by about a month when the Daimler supervisory board is next scheduled to meet. Daimler originally said it would decide the fate of Maybach by July 1.

Folding Maybach into Mercedes-Benz is now under consideration. Under that scenario, Maybach would be a subbrand, like AMG, and the Maybach name would be used for Mercedes’ top-of-the-line versions of its S-Class, GL-Class and CL-Class vehicles with only minor design changes.

According to three company sources, Daimler is still considering a partnership with Aston Martin in which the British car maker would produce the second-generation Maybach. Aston Martin has so far created four concepts for Daimler based on the next-generation S-class architecture.

The Daimler source also said a third option of killing Maybach brand is also on the table.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche confirmed this month that Daimler has been in discussions with Aston Martin, with no other potential partners emerging as possibilities.

We will keep you up to date on Maybach’s future as reports roll in.

Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin Partner to Build Maybach and Lagondas

Daimler and Aston Martin have signed an engine and platform sharing agreement according to a recent report by Car and Driver

Daimler and Aston Martin have signed an engine and platform sharing agreement according to a recent report by Car and Driver. Rumors of this partnership have been alive since 2008, but if the report is correct, Aston Marting will build the redesigned Maybach in their Gaydon, England factory.

The report also states that the new Maybach models will be built atop the Mercedes-Benz S-Class platform that is set to be previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year.

As for what Aston Martin will be getting out of this partnership, technology in the way of platforms, drivetrain and other equipment. This technology will be used on the new Lagonda lineup, including a sedan built alongside the Maybach line as well as a GL-based crossover. The real question that remains is whether the partnership will extend enough to provide Aston Martin with a new platform to replace the VH architecture on which its entire lineup is now based.

Until we see a signed agreement, we won’t be confirming anything. Chances are however that the Frankfurt Motor Show in September will shed more light on the subject.