Wednesday 4th August 2004

Aston Martin Grows

More dealers, more cars in 2005

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Aston Martin’s global dealer network is set to increase by 20% over the next six months to support the serious growth plans the company has always maintained for its future.

Currently, Aston Martin has 105 dealers that will increase to 125 worldwide by the end of this year and includes the appointment of new dealers in North America, Japan and in other emerging Asian markets.

Aston Martin has already announced the intention to produce 5000 cars per annum at its new Gaydon Headquarters by the end of 2005. This growth will be supported by an international retail network of 140 dealers in 32 countries.

Around 30% of Aston Martin’s sportscars are sold in the UK, with similar figures in both North America and Europe. The remaining markets account for around 10%. However with the launch of the DB9 in 2004 followed next year by the V8 Vantage, the smaller Aston Martin, the company is preparing for a different emphasis that will see around 40% of total sales being handled by 40 dealers across North America.

In line with the international dealership expansion Aston Martin, in co-operation with London design company Imagination, is continuing to introduce its new Corporate Identity with every new dealer appointment as well as developing all existing sites.

"The objective of the programme is to create a consistent customer experience which complements and enhances the premium nature of our cars whether in London, Paris, New York or Tokyo," said Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin.

The most recent dealerships to receive this new corporate design are Grange of Welwyn in Hertfordshire, and Aston Martin Dallas in Texas, USA, which both retail solely Aston Martins. The Grange of Welwyn dealership entailed the complete renovation of an existing timber framed building and has an elegant open plan layout including split level gallery space, marble floors and clubroom lounge areas for customers. Aston Martin Dallas is a state of the art dealership which incorporates a four car showroom, full service centre, customer lounges and a private access card club lounge for customers to meet.

Aston Martin in Dallas

"Aston Martin is undertaking the biggest change in its 90-year history with a new headquarters, a new production facility and a new model range," added Dr Ulrich Bez. "If we are to increase our visibility and provide the levels of customer care which our owners deserve it is essential that we increase our worldwide representation and incorporate this Retail Design Programme."

The new Aston Martin facility at Gaydon, Warwickshire, officially opened last September and has the capacity to produce 5000 cars a year. The DB9 Coupe is already in production and will be followed later this year by the DB9 Volante (convertible). In summer 2005 the new V8 Vantage will begin production.

[sadlerj]

This is all very nice, but has anyone heard anything more about the V8Vantage. My 'letter of intent' was accepted back in 2002, so I am high up the list, just it has all gone very quiet since the DB9 came out. All I can glean is that the cost keeps getting more (it seems to be up to 80 grand now), that it will be 400 bhp ish and we are looking at Summer 2005 for earlist delivery. If anyone had heard anything more then please lemme know.

[rico]

I'm tempted to go to Dallas just to see that showroom. Looks sensational.

[goo-goo-gjoob]

everything's big in Texas

[Twin Turbo]

The V8 Vantage looks on target to be on sale next summer....many of the car mags have spotted the mule cars out testing.

Mind you, if I had a letter of intent with a dealer I'd want them to update me personally

[toppstuff]

Are the dealers accepting any deposits for V8 yet?

Is the waiting list officially open?

[beast]

No to both, still only "letters of intent".

However, now purported to only have 380hp. Cost does seem to have continued to rise, so I think we can scrub my intent now; new M5 doesn't look quite so bad after-all.

[nuisance_value]

Ive not heard anything new from my dealer about the forthcoming AMV8. Though with regards to the cost creeping up (£80k without options now?) surely AM would be shooting themselves in the foot as this is bringing it awfully close to DB9 money? Also it would possibly dissuade some speculaters as the profit margin is getting tighter (although thats a good thing for people on the list!). It makes me wonder wether I should stick my deposit down when the time comes as there is always the Alfa Brera and 8C to consider... (not the same cache, admitted, but gullwing doors on the Brera and RWD 911 performance from the 8C for a reputed £60k! makes them more appealing by the day..) Any thoughts?

[Twin Turbo]

I've replied to your post on the Alfa forum. Nice as the Alfa's will be, they're not a patch on the V8 Vantage (although the 8C may run it close)

[nuisance_value]

Thanks. Have responded in the Alfa forum, but just to reiterate; 8C and AMV8 will have similar performance, 8C LHD only and the interior will not have that bespoke feel, though with AMV8 costs apparently creeping up it will cost around £20k (?) less. Im still glad my intent letter is with the dealer, though Im sure Im not the only one (see above) who may be reserving judgement (and deposit money!) until AM announce final AMV8 costs. As an exercise though, any other upcoming models that people may be interested in? The new 911 (997) anyone? 'S' version for around £65k, will be seriously undercutting the AMV8's speculated prices. Shame they all look same and there's bloody thousands of them! So not for me. Any other suggestions?

[twin turbo]

I know what you mean, 911s just don't really do it for me either. How about a Maserati 4200?

[danodon]

My local dealer (Belfast) has moved beyond 'letters of intent'. I paid 2k to secure my place on the waiting list. After reading the above, I'm guessing it's a dealer requirement rather than an Aston Martin requirement. I'll check.

I've seen Spring 2005 and Summer 2005 delivery dates in different parts of the motoring press. I spoke to the dealer about 3/4 weeks ago and he said that, while not confirmed yet, AM would probably not start production of the V8 until the 3rd quarter of 2005. He also mentioned an unconfirmed rumour that the vehicle would be renamed as the "DB8".

I'm disturbed by the mentions of price increases. Can anyone tell me the source of these reports? The dealer seemed to think it would still be in the region of 70k - not the 80k mentioned here.

As for alternatives: the new Noble M14 is starting to look attractive.

[Twin Turbo]

Seems some dealers are being cheeky and requesting deposts early. Check out some of the other V8 Vantage posts and you'll see what I mean.

[RichB]

danodon said:

My local dealer (Belfast) has moved beyond 'letters of intent'. I paid 2k to secure my place on the waiting list.

I have been told that my dealer will require a £1k deposit around Xmas to firm-up the letter of intent and then 10% sometime when one's production slot is known. Rich...

[nuisance_value]

Maserati 4200, shame they never kept the boomerang lights at the back. I wonder if it would be possible to retro fit these onto a new one? They must keep some as spares surely? The new Noble does look good too and I guess would drive even better, but for the same money as an Aston? Hmmm... Any other suggestions?

[Twin Turbo]

I'm a fan of the boomerang lights too. Message to Maserati - "BRING 'EM BACK FOR THE NEXT GENERATION COUPE/SPYDER"

Jaguar are due to replace the XK8/R soonish (next year or '6, I think).

Or how about a Merc SL (although a bit too footballer's wife's for me)? Or a fully loaded SLK55 (new version)?

[nuisance_value]

Exactly, I find Mercedes far too footballers wife! Might have something with the Jaguar though, always been a fan of the XK8/R and I might see what news there is on the new model as I wouldn't get my AMV8 till mid '06 at the earliest. Cheers for that. Notice no-one has suggested a s/hand Ferrari 355 maybe 360, which Im pretty pleased about! Im a little more refrained than that! Anyone know about the Farboud thing? I suspect they will be pretty exclusive too... In the meantime, I read recently (Auto Express?) that AM are pricing the AMV8 at 'around' £73k, wether this is true or not remains to be seen, but at the moment the letter is safe. Interesting developments with some of the dealers out there too. So far mine has been quiet about money, so Im presuming he's waiting for something official. Any news and I'll let you know....

Almost forgot... BMW M5 anyone?

>> Edited by nuisance_value on Tuesday 10th August 21:30

[V12BRY]

I'm going to tell you guys as much as I know about the car, its launch, price and the politics behind the ordering process.

The factory has a few engineering cars out and about at the moment. I would suggest that the car will be launched at an international motor show some time in 2005, but production will not start until late 05, more likely 2006. The price is looking like it will be £78k plus options, and before you say anything, it will be a totally different animal to a DB9 so it shouldn't steal any sales from that car.

Aston Martin specifically asked its dealers NOT to take deposits in the beginning, although some broke protocol and did it anyway. Now the line is that a dealer can ask for deposits if they wish, but there is no standard amount that Aston has recommended.

I hope that clears a few things up.........

[nuisance_value]

Thanks for that! No doubt you can tell there are a just a few prospective owners getting eager! Notice production (hence delivery) keeps getting put back, so I guess mine will be sometime in '07! Not to worry, all good things etc. I wonder if you could enlighten us as to the possibility of a volante (presuming this wouldn't steal sales from the DB9 volante) and of a more powerful version. If they brought out an AMV8 Volante (or even hinted at it) that would be my preferred choice! It does leave a window to indulge in something else in the meantime though...

[V12BRY]

nuisance_value said:

Thanks for that! No doubt you can tell there are a just a few prospective owners getting eager! Notice production (hence delivery) keeps getting put back, so I guess mine will be sometime in '07! Not to worry, all good things etc. I wonder if you could enlighten us as to the possibility of a volante (presuming this wouldn't steal sales from the DB9 volante) and of a more powerful version. If they brought out an AMV8 Volante (or even hinted at it) that would be my preferred choice! It does leave a window to indulge in something else in the meantime though...

No official word on a Volante as yet, but I would be shocked if they didn't do it. Very doubtful as to them bringing out a higher performance version though. This car is going to be quick from day one, so I personally don't see the need.

[RichB]

V12BRY said:

Very doubtful as to them bringing out a higher performance version though. This car is going to be quick from day one, so I personally don't see the need.

Bryan, I recollect at the initial announcement the mags (Autocar/Car) mentioned something like a 360bhp version and a 400 bhp version (don't quote me 'cos I don't have the mags to hand). Point being that they were talking about Aston dropping the power of the first cars and then announcing an upgrade at a later stage, I guess this is where this rumour has come from. Rich...