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Maybach and Aston Martin alliance talks fall apart

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aston Martin, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz

If you have, like us, been salivating at the notion of a new generation of Maybach and Lagonda ultra-luxury crafts built by Aston Martin, we've got some bad news: According to reports emanating from Germany, talks between AML and Daimler have broken down.

The proposal under negotiation would have seen Daimler outsourcing production of the next family of Maybach models to Aston Martin, which in return would benefit from Mercedes-Benz platforms and engines - not only for its svelte GTs, but also for its own future Lagonda line of limousines and luxury SUVs. That, and a boatload of money - or at least that's what AML was reportedly seeking, an issue that served as the stumbling block over which the deal reportedly collapsed.

That's not to say the two parties couldn't still reach some sort of a compromise, but short of that, Daimler may opt to either shut down Maybach altogether, find another partner, or take another stab at building new models internally.

Maybach and Aston Martin alliance talks fall apart originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Aston Martin, Daimler gearing up to take on Bentley, Rolls-Royce together

Noah Joseph — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Aston Martin, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Aston Martin's assembly plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England

Entering the very top of the luxury saloon market is no easy task. Even a company like Daimler has had trouble positioning its Maybach program against the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce - owned by its archrivals at Volkswagen and BMW, respectively. Aston Martin is looking at taking a bite out of the hyper-exclusive market with the impending re-launch of its Lagonda brand, but both Aston and Daimler apparently believe that getting a profitable foothold in that stratospheric segment is more than either of them are up to alone. So they're going at it together.

Reports began emerging of an Aston/Daimler partnership several years ago, suggesting that Daimler could turn to Aston for its expertise in building small production runs - a skill to which Daimler is not accustomed. Now Car and Driver is detailing the particulars of that tie-up that could lead to big things for both automakers. What Daimler would get out of the deal is the potentially more viable production of next-generation Maybach models, also built atop the Mercedes-Benz S-Class platform (albeit the next iteration) but at Aston's plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England.

What Aston would get in return is the technology (in platforms, drivetrain and other equipment) on which to base its new Lagonda range, including a sedan built alongside the Maybach line as well as a GL-based crossover. The question is whether the partnership could extend to provide Aston with a new platform to replace the aging VH architecture on which its entire lineup is now based.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Aston Martin, Daimler gearing up to take on Bentley, Rolls-Royce together originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Aston Martin to build Maybachs?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill, Luxury

2011 Maybach range - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin and Daimler are apparently becoming chummy right now. According to The Financial Times, the two automakers are chatting about a possible relationship centered around Daimler's super-luxe Maybach sedan. Aston Martin is reportedly looking to glean some powertrain knowledge from the German automaker (for a possible Lagonda revival?) and Daimler could use help reviving a car that few are buying.

An exotic luxury sedan crafted as a joint venture between the Brits and the Germans sounds like an intriguing concept. As a matter of fact it should sound intriguing because Bentley and Rolls-Royce figured out the formula a few years ago. Though few out there can actually afford any automobile in this category, it would be nice to see new life breathed into the Maybach nameplate.

Gallery: 2011 Maybach range

[Source: Financial Times - sub. req.]

Report: Aston Martin to build Maybachs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Lagonda to be based on S-Class?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:19:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Aston Martin, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

It sounds like a match made in heaven. A new duo of sedans styled by Aston Martin with Mercedes-Benz engineering prowess propping them up. Assuming that these two automakers can get their next super-sedans bolted together well enough, the first sedan from the recently-revived Lagonda brand and the next Maybach may be jointly designed by the two companies, which just recently began collaborating with each other. Early reports indicate that the two premium saloons would be based on the latest S-Class chassis architecture, with the Maybach brand getting the most luxurious accouterments and the Lagonda holding the sporty end of the stick.

Powertrain options for these two luxury vehicles would come from Daimler as a revised version of the V12 engine that currently powers the Maybach limos and which may even by hybridized. The jointly developed super saloons would theoretically cut the development time and budget for each by significant amounts, assuming that these two sets of management can find a way to work together. We have high hopes.

[Source: Autocar]

First Lagonda to be based on S-Class? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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