With sales of Aston Martin's existing sports and GT lineup continuing at a strong clip, the question of where to build the new Rapide four-door becomes more problematic. For a company that is still relatively low-volume (7,000 cars last year) like Aston, investing in tooling for more capacity is difficult. That's where contract builders come to the rescue. Aston is reportedly talking to Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna-Steyr and Valmet about assembling the new car, with a decision due by the end of the year. Even though Aston Martin is one of the most quintessentially British brands, having one of these companies build the new car probably won't hurt too much. They've assembled vehicles for the likes of Porsche, BMW and many others without doing much harm to their reputations.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wolharig badeendje @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:35AM
It likely goed to Holland!
Wolharig badeendje @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:36AM
(goed = goes)
Toy Yoda @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:53AM
Since the dollar is weakening alot against the pound and the euro, I would think they would send production to the States. Perhaps, they can negotiate with their ex-parent company, Ford.
rgseidl @ Nov 23rd 2007 11:35AM
Setting up production in the US would be attractive for a number of reasons, but it may be a substantially bigger step than Aston can afford to take right now. For one thing, with the mortgage-related credit crunch still to come in the US, it's quite unclear if the global market for high-end automobiles will prove resilient enough to justify a brand-new assembly plant. For another, Aston leverages the European rather than the US supply chain.
Also, the four contract manufacturers mentioned are all hurting for business right now. Aston should therefore be able to negotiate a very sweet deal. This being Europe, it's also entirely possible that national or regional governments will end up throwing in sweeteners to keep thousands of grateful voters in gainful employment through the next election.
Will @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:04PM
A Pininfarina-built Aston? Two of the biggest names in the manufacture of gorgeous automobiles. If the mechanicals are any good at all, they'll sell every one they can build.
Will @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:04PM
A Pininfarina-built Aston? Two of the biggest names in the manufacture of gorgeous automobiles. If the mechanicals are any good at all, they'll sell every one they can build.
Will @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:05PM
Ooops, double postage, sorry!
Zane @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:54PM
Yes yes, the Magna-built X3 was sooo reliable!
Aston would really lose some important customers with that sort of quality.
ziomal @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:26PM
Very good web page on Aston Martin
http://astonmartin.resmoto.com