Autoblog

Daimler discussing collaboration with Aston Martin

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Aston Martin, Luxury

Daimler and Aston Martin have been "in discussions" over various matters going back at least five years, when an engine-supply deal from the Germans to the Brits turned into rumors of Daimler looking to buy a piece of Aston Martin. Neither the engines nor the company stake every changed hands, but three years later they were talking about trying a relationship again, this time in the large luxury sedan segment - Daimler would get help with Maybach, Aston Martin would get help with the Lagonda revival. That also came to nothing.

Late last year, when Investment Dar offloaded a share of its stake in Aston Martin to Anglo-Italian equity house Investindustrial, part of the allure was that Investindustrial said it would work to unite Aston Martin with technology and components from AMG. So the talks have begun again.

Although nothing's come of it yet, Bloomberg reports that the English and the Germans have opened dialogue "on supply and technical-cooperation agreements." In November 2012, Investindustrial mentioned getting engines, gearboxes and other technology from AMG - a brand it got to know when it owned Ducati. A tie-up would also help indie player Aston Martin rein in development costs. Daimler is said to be Investindustrial's preferred partner, but the latest chapter has only just begun. We're sure they hope it won't take another five years to get something closed with someone.

Daimler discussing collaboration with Aston Martin originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin scores bids from Mahindra and UK equity house

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Aston Martin, Earnings/Financials, UK, India, Middle East, Luxury

Three weeks, ago Businessweek reported that Investment Dar, Inc. was looking to shed its majority stake in Aston Martin. The Kuwait-based financial firm is apparently seeking to restructure its debt load and has sought $800 million for its 64-percent share in the English automaker. That amount compares to the $925 million that it took for a consortium, Investment Dar among them, to purchase 100-percent of Aston Martin from Ford in 2007.

According to reports, bidding for the 64 percent hasn't gone anywhere near that price, however. Bloomberg (parent company of Businessweek) reports that London-based private equity house Investindustrial has made a bid of nearly 250 million pounds ($401 million U.S.), with their overture trumped shortly thereafter by Indian automaking conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra. According to the report, a winner will be chosen from among those two companies, but instead of Investment Dar's entire 64-percent stake, the winner will get 40 percent equity and 50 percent of the voting rights. Investment Dar will hold onto 24 percent of Aston.

There's some confusion around some of the numbers, however. According to Financial News, though, the stake being offered is 50 percent and Investindustrial, even with a lower bid, might still be the favorite. Investindustrial bought Ducati in 2006, then sold it to Audi for a 300-percent gain in July of this year. Working with another German automaker this time around, it's said that Investindustrial has stressed its commitment to invest in new product, and both reports indicate that it has a tentative deal with Mercedes-Benz to provide Aston access to technology, engines, gearboxes and other parts from AMG. An announcement of the winning bidder could come as soon as this weekend.

Aston Martin scores bids from Mahindra and UK equity house originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi to announce Ducati acquisition next week?

Chris Tutor — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

According to at least one unnamed source, Audi's purchase of Ducati is as good as done. Reuters reports that Audi has taken a good hard look at Ducati's books and found "no major stumbling blocks."

Another source says Ducati's largest shareholder, Investindustrial, has agreed to discuss the cyclemaker's sale to no one but Audi.

Volkswagen's annual shareholder meeting is April 19 and an announcement concerning Audi's purchase of Ducati could come before then. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has reported that Audi's bargaining exclusivity rights will expire April 15, at which point Investindustrial will then be free to shop around for a Ducati buyer.

Audi to announce Ducati acquisition next week? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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