How long before Aston Martin collapses then?

[Zak33]

I know it's a horrible thought.. but they're haemoraging money.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-as...-idUKKBN1Z60MZ

All the other prestige SUV's are selling properly, while Aston spent a small fortune building their new UK factory. Rolls had a superb year, in fundamentally the same market

“From a trading perspective, 2019 has been a very disappointing year,” Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer said, as the company’s shares plunged as much as 16%

When the Aston Martin shares were listed, in 2018, the hopes were strong. I didn't join in though.. it was very rich I thought.

Right now.. they're about 25% of that value and tbh.. I think they've got a further drop due.

Thoughts on their Future?

[PC-LAD]

Thoughts on their Future?

I wouldn't be surprised to see a German buy out, They haven't really brought anything interesting to the board since the sygnet XD. I imagine Mercedes will be eating them whole at the closest opportunity.

[Zak33]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a German buy out, They haven't really brought anything interesting to the board since the sygnet XD. I imagine Mercedes will be eating them whole at the closest opportunity.

ah so you think the old V8 link might still be strong?

Would Merc want them? When Merc and AMG are such strong brands... what would owning Aston bring to the party? The new Straight 6? There was talk of a hybrid V6 long ago.

[Zak33]

the thing I can't work out is... does Daimler still own 5% of Aston?

[Ttaskmaster]

Why are they building SUVs?
One of the nicest cars they ever built was that V8 Vantage Volante - Why don't they do another like that, but with modern outfitting?

[kalniel]

They're just late to SUV and China. The DBX will probably save them as long as we don't throw up any trade spanners in the works.

Why are they building SUVs?
One of the nicest cars they ever built was that V8 Vantage Volante - Why don't they do another like that, but with modern outfitting?

Because, as noted in the article, SUVs have saved bentley and rolls. Aston don't have an SUV yet so are losing sales. Nice cars like the Volante wouldn't get them enough sales.

the thing I can't work out is... does Daimler still own 5% of Aston?

4%

I don't think Germans/other European would touch them with a barge pole - they're too busy scrambling to get their fleet CO2s down and Aston are not where you go for that.

[PC-LAD]

ah so you think the old V8 link might still be strong?

Would Merc want them? When Merc and AMG are such strong brands... what would owning Aston bring to the party? The new Straight 6? There was talk of a hybrid V6 long ago.

AMG is strong, but the emphasis on selling something "British" is still a big word in china. Furthermore, Mercedes lack class when it comes to their GT style cars. Making that a true combo not just a parts bin and engine deal would hopefully bring them back around. But what am I to say, I'll never own that class of car as long as it's a combustion engine.

[DanceswithUnix]

Because, as noted in the article, SUVs have saved bentley and rolls.

Alfa created an SUV that gets rave reviews, but it isn't helping sales. They aren't a magic bullet, and I think it is only a matter of time before they get a worse image than the estate cars they replaced supposedly due to a poor image of estate cars.

[Zak33]

Alfa created an SUV that gets rave reviews, but it isn't helping sales. They aren't a magic bullet, and I think it is only a matter of time before they get a worse image than the estate cars they replaced supposedly due to a poor image of estate cars.

all good points. The issue that Rolls and Bentley will suffer will be that they will steal some of their own sales .. people who might have taken a big lux limo might go for a Range Rover competitor instead. It's not ALL additional business with an SUV.

What will we all think in 30 years when these are old semi-classics?

[Saracen999]

Rolls had a superb year, in fundamentally the samme market.

Do you really think so? Unless the market is "premium priced"?

I hesitate to argue with someone with your car industry background, but as a single buyer, I certainly don't see them as the same market. I've test-driven Aston's several times, over the period from about DB8, and come pretty close to buying a couple of times, but never been inclined to test a Rolls. (*)

I'm curious about the definition of "same market".


(*) Well, once. At the invitation of the Malaya Group, I went to a "test day" which included Ferrari, Aston, Porsche, Rolls etc right down to 'mundane' margues like Mercedes and BMW. But I only tested it because, first, it was offered and second, I was mildly curious. Very nice car, but not my thing at all.

[DanceswithUnix]

What will we all think in 30 years when these are old semi-classics?

I suspect not much. Even with the Alfa Stelvio supposedly being the only SUV that can actually go around corners, it is still basically a utility bus compared to the V6 Giulia saloon that it is related to.

Alfa have gone from pinning their improved sales hopes on a large SUV to making a smaller SUV. I should be their target market as a current Alfa owner with a family, but the idea of SUV ownership just leaves me cold, so I'm not expecting great things of that either.

But then I never expected there to be a FIAT Multipla (ugly bug) owner's club so what do I know

[Ttaskmaster]

I really cannot see James Bond swanning around in an SUV, though....

[kalniel]

But then I never expected there to be a FIAT Multipla (ugly bug) owner's club so what do I know

Fantastic example of function over form - together with the Skoda Roomster - very useful cars for some.

[Ttaskmaster]

Fantastic example of function over form - together with the Skoda Roomster - very useful cars for some.

Yeah, but there are some limits! Multipla interiors are... how did I see it described... 'done with as much aesthetic consideration as a pile of Fisher Price toys dumped into a sandpit'!!

[Zak33]

I certainly don't see them as the same market. I've test-driven Aston's several times, over the period from about DB8, and come pretty close to buying a couple of times, but never been inclined to test a Rolls. (*)

I'm curious about the definition of "same market".

exec SUV



that Roller is kicking arse in the top price SUV market and that's EXACTLY where Aston wanna be.. and just aren't. Partly because they're late...

and partly because theyve made a Mini Clubman lookalike

[Zak33]

when Rolls launched the Dawn, they took the Conv exec coupe fight to Aston too.



if these two chimps think they compete.. then we have to bow down to their awesome knowledge