Aston Martin turns a profit
It's the first time in 40 years: Ulrich Bez
Aston Martin DB9
According to Aston boss Ulrich Bez, cash in exceeded cash out for the first time since the 1960s last year, a factoid that has not been made public until now because the company's accounts are merged in with others in with Ford's premium brands division, Premiere Automotive Group (PAG). PAG, which also includes Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, lost money as a whole last year, however.
Aston has done well, according to Bez, because of the rise of the super-rich -- there's a record number of millionaires around, resulting in a rise in sales of luxury saloons of 20 per cent in the first six months of 2006 compared to 2005's similar period.
However, it might also have something to do with the cars. When Bez joined Aston Martin, it only sold the DB7. Now it sells several models, all but the Vanquish sitting on a cost-saving common platform. Also, sales to the US have expanded, and the number of cars produced is set to rise from 300 when he joined to some 5,000 this year.
AM's also captured more halo factor, with the DBR9 which came second in prestige racing such as Le Mans, plus the Bond connection that's been reforged with the latest film -- out soon -- featuring the £160,000 DBS, a model that'll only be launched as a limited-run model in summer 2007. It's a huge ad for the car. Bez reckoned the relationship between Bond and Aston Martin was "a love affair', asserting that AM doesn't pay the filmmakers.
Bez also told the Times that the car's beauty and soul had a lot to do with AM's success. "The DB9 is the most beautiful, aesthetic car in the world. There is no competition. This is the base factor for its success", he said.
Chris.
To be honest Chris, I don't think she had much to do with Jag's downfall. In fact under her, things are getting much better. The BMW competitor strategy came about a few years ago before she was MD, and has recently been changed to make Jag more of a niche player. That change happened after Bibi became MD, and has already started to pay-off.
I bet they dont pay for the cars though.
I heard that Ford (who own AM) paid £40 million for a 5 year deal a few films back. This included using Fords as background cars, Jags and AM's.
...and Volvos and Landies / Rangies...
Mr Gauntlett - actually split his time between HQ at Newport Pagnell and the Showroom in Cheval Place, Knightsbridge( where I saw him many times) where he himself sold god knows how many cars.
Anyway - well done to AML.
I don't agree upon his quote about "the most beautiful car in the world" though;
the looks and thumbs up you get while driving your Cerbera proves to me everytime that I am right..
I love the cerbera, but mate, your dreamin!
I don't agree upon his quote about "the most beautiful car in the world" though;
the looks and thumbs up you get while driving your Cerbera proves to me everytime that I am right..
I love the cerbera, but mate, your dreamin!
I'm torn on this one, love them both
Mr Gauntlett - actually split his time between HQ at Newport Pagnell and the Showroom in Cheval Place, Knightsbridge( where I saw him many times) where he himself sold god knows how many cars.
Anyway - well done to AML.
I remember Cheval place as a boy.
Anyway, I know in the early 80s the service department made a nice profit (as it always has done), and there was talk about closing the manufacturing side and just servicing/ restoring the cars. Not sure if the manufacturing side ever made a profit- if they did, it can't have been much. I mean, 60 hours to make a bonnet?
I don't agree upon his quote about "the most beautiful car in the world" though;
the looks and thumbs up you get while driving your Cerbera proves to me everytime that I am right..
AS our friend 'Cathalm' above said, yes you are dreamin'. The Cerbera looks the dogs bits, but AM shows true British heritage (I know its owned by the yanks) and it has produced some of the best looking cars ever made, the DB9 being one of them. I don't want to get into a devate about TVRs but on occasion they can look a little 'plastic' which of course in basic terms they are!
(I suppose I'll await the comprehensive details of the body composition!!!!
)I don't agree upon his quote about "the most beautiful car in the world" though;
the looks and thumbs up you get while driving your Cerbera proves to me everytime that I am right..
AS our friend 'Cathalm' above said, yes you are dreamin'. The Cerbera looks the dogs bits, but AM shows true British heritage (I know its owned by the yanks) and it has produced some of the best looking cars ever made, the DB9 being one of them. I don't want to get into a devate about TVRs but on occasion they can look a little 'plastic' which of course in basic terms they are!
(I suppose I'll await the comprehensive details of the body composition!!!!
)Erm, that said, I'd be a happy man if somebody gave me a cerby for christmas.....
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