IS AML MOVING FURTHER UP MARKET?
Discussion
With so many higher profit margin, limited edition models being sold out so quickly, it must be very tempting for AML to move the whole model range up to a higher market segment.
Before the current Vantage was introduced, the cars were of course then more expensive. I am not sure what a new DB7 cost. Was that more than the Vantage?
Perhaps this photograph is confirmation.
It shows that the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, launch model yellow Vantage, has been replaced by Aston Martin's prestige model, Vanquish.
Do you think the Vantage replacement models, might therefore all have six figure pricing (UK) ?
andy_mc said:
Walks on water ...
The DB7 was, from memory about £80k when launched and was seen (in cost terms) as a rival for the F355, costing more then the 928GTS and BMW 850 (shows you how long ago that was). It was quoted as being the "affordable" Aston. Its stablemates where the £150k V8 Coupe and the £200k Vantage.
At the time Aston needed to sell more to make more money. These days, the market has changed and you can sell fewer, more exclusive models with a higher list price for the same profit margin. VAG sell many more VW then they do Audi, but Audi brings in something like three times the profit.
At the time Aston needed to sell more to make more money. These days, the market has changed and you can sell fewer, more exclusive models with a higher list price for the same profit margin. VAG sell many more VW then they do Audi, but Audi brings in something like three times the profit.
Jon39 said:
I am not sure what a new DB7 cost. Was that more than the Vantage
I can't comment on the coupe, but in 2001 the Vantage Volante was £102k, before adding options. I've got the original sales invoice for my car and the original owner paid a fraction under £135k (admittedly it did have all the options ticked!)
Using the Bank of England's whizzy inflation calculator to give a rather simplistic view of what that might be the equivalent of today, that would be a base price of £153k or an eye-watering £201k for the car as it was on the invoice....
Zod said:
£6K for satnav!
Yep. It's actually a VDO Dayton unit a fitted (I believe) to the Rover 75. Not a standard fit, rather an AM Works conversion with new vent panel in carbon fibre - even so, made my eyes water too when I say that! My guess would be 10% parts, 90% labour ...
Ironically, it works better than the one fitted to either by 2006 V8V or 2008 N400 did .....and is better integrated!
Edited by StephenP on Monday 23 May 14:06
Jon39 said:
With so many higher profit margin, limited edition models being sold out so quickly, it must be very tempting for AML to move the whole model range up to a higher market segment.
Before the current Vantage was introduced, the cars were of course then more expensive. I am not sure what a new DB7 cost. Was that more than the Vantage?
Perhaps this photograph is confirmation.
It shows that the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, launch model yellow Vantage, has been replaced by Aston Martin's prestige model, Vanquish.
Do you think the Vantage replacement models, might therefore all have six figure pricing (UK) ?
Aston wants to double their sales. They can't do this selling just "limited edition models". If they "move the whole model range up to a higher market segment" by simply making a few modifications an slapping on a higher price on every model. Their investors can kiss their investment and the AML company good by.Before the current Vantage was introduced, the cars were of course then more expensive. I am not sure what a new DB7 cost. Was that more than the Vantage?
Perhaps this photograph is confirmation.
It shows that the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, launch model yellow Vantage, has been replaced by Aston Martin's prestige model, Vanquish.
Do you think the Vantage replacement models, might therefore all have six figure pricing (UK) ?
"Limited edition models" are great for any auto manufacturers appeal and bring attention to the brand. But a company to survive on this as their sole strategy. You need to bring in new buyers and be competitive in the market. Without unlimited funds behind you like other premium brands, you have no safety net.
StephenP said:
I've got the original sales invoice for my car and the original owner paid a fraction under £135k (admittedly it did have all the options ticked!)
Using the Bank of England's whizzy inflation calculator to give a rather simplistic view of what that might be the equivalent of today, that would be a base price of £153k or an eye-watering £201k for the car as it was on the invoice....
Using the Bank of England's whizzy inflation calculator to give a rather simplistic view of what that might be the equivalent of today, that would be a base price of £153k or an eye-watering £201k for the car as it was on the invoice....
The original owner provided you with a beauty.
I chuckled when I saw one of the invoice items.
They charged £1,000 for - NOT fitting a brake light.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 23 May 17:29
Judging by the number of people on here uploading pics of wrapped and re-wheeled Astons, not to mention the obsession with bits of stick-on carbon I'd say it is time to leap up market and sell to people who like driving rare and a little fickle cars.
The trouble with selling more is that come the next inevitable downturn you find that the middle market disappears first and you have overcapacity. Less is more.
The trouble with selling more is that come the next inevitable downturn you find that the middle market disappears first and you have overcapacity. Less is more.
Jon39 said:
The original owner provided you with a beauty.
I chuckled when I saw one of the invoice items.
They charged £1,000 for - NOT fitting a brake light.
I'd be more worried about leaving the £910 fuel filler cap at the petrol station!
I presume the £1k cost for brake light deletion meant they had to use a different bootlid..?
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 23 May 17:29
StephenP said:
I can't comment on the coupe, but in 2001 the Vantage Volante was £102k, before adding options.
I've got the original sales invoice for my car and the original owner paid a fraction under £135k (admittedly it did have all the options ticked!)
Using the Bank of England's whizzy inflation calculator to give a rather simplistic view of what that might be the equivalent of today, that would be a base price of £153k or an eye-watering £201k for the car as it was on the invoice....
Could we please see a photo of your fuel filler cap? I'd love to see what >£900 gets you in terms of fuel filler caps...I've got the original sales invoice for my car and the original owner paid a fraction under £135k (admittedly it did have all the options ticked!)
Using the Bank of England's whizzy inflation calculator to give a rather simplistic view of what that might be the equivalent of today, that would be a base price of £153k or an eye-watering £201k for the car as it was on the invoice....
JohnG1 said:
Could we please see a photo of your fuel filler cap? I'd love to see what >£900 gets you in terms of fuel filler caps...
That's £900 in 2001 .... 
It's not really the cap, rather the flap over the top ...
(Looking at the photo, it looks like it could do with a clean too!)
Edited by StephenP on Monday 23 May 23:39
StephenP said:
JohnG1 said:
Could we please see a photo of your fuel filler cap? I'd love to see what >£900 gets you in terms of fuel filler caps...
That's £900 in 2001 .... It's not really the cap, rather the flap over the top ...
(Looking at the photo, it looks like it could do with a clean too!)
Edited by StephenP on Monday 23 May 23:39
Mako V12V said:
Heated windscreen at £295 an absolute giveaway compared to £643 for cup holders!!!!!....... And even worse £947 for a 1st aid kit?!?!....I'd expect hard drugs in that kit for £947 
They're not just any old cup holders you know, they are soft-touch, fold out leather cupholders I think the cost is because it required a replacement arm rest top....
StephenP said:
That's £900 in 2001 ....
It's not really the cap, rather the flap over the top ...
(Looking at the photo, it looks like it could do with a clean too!)
Thank you. I was expecting unobtanium coated unicorn horn but instead looks like a rather fine piece of aluminium. Wish I was in the fuel filler cap business back in 2001...It's not really the cap, rather the flap over the top ...
(Looking at the photo, it looks like it could do with a clean too!)
Edited by StephenP on Monday 23 May 23:39
Which has me wondering was a new fuel filler cap spare part for a contemporary V12V or V8V would cost...
StephenP said:
Mako V12V said:
Heated windscreen at £295 an absolute giveaway compared to £643 for cup holders!!!!!....... And even worse £947 for a 1st aid kit?!?!....I'd expect hard drugs in that kit for £947
They're not just any old cup holders you know, they are soft-touch, fold out leather cupholders I think the cost is because it required a replacement arm rest top....
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