Palmer Interview
Discussion
Interesting I thought
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31727799
Some great stats in there. Only 70000 cars ever built. Only 5% sold to women. Only 2500 into emerging markets. Lots of room for growth so you can see the strategy and why.
Comforting is the stated annual production limit of 7000.
What I really want to know is where can I meet Charlotte?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31727799
Some great stats in there. Only 70000 cars ever built. Only 5% sold to women. Only 2500 into emerging markets. Lots of room for growth so you can see the strategy and why.
Comforting is the stated annual production limit of 7000.
What I really want to know is where can I meet Charlotte?
avinalarf said:
Load of b
ks.
Just make a range of sports cars and Gts that people,of either sex,want to buy.
He's not got that much money to play about with so why sod about around the fringes.
The obvious reason why AM sales are dipping is because almost all the relevant models are over 10 years old.
Even when the DB9 / Vantage were new women didn't buy them. I see it as a poitive that he has to expand the appeal from its exsitng core market. Adapt or die.ks.Just make a range of sports cars and Gts that people,of either sex,want to buy.
He's not got that much money to play about with so why sod about around the fringes.
The obvious reason why AM sales are dipping is because almost all the relevant models are over 10 years old.
The new Lagonda is part of that - a big 4 seater.
DBX? I'm less convinced by as they will need to buy in technology (all electric) or hope MB do all electric and give AM the technology.
One of the issues that women can have with the current range is the seating position. Women are typically shorter than men so they sit even lower - then they can't see the corners / judge width easily.
Great idea Mr. Avinalarf, but there is one snag.
They have already tried your idea for 102 years, and although wonderful cars are produced, they have repeatedly ended up saying, "Your cheque is in the post".
I think Dr. Palmer's business plan might work, and he appears to have respect for the marques history, and the present Aston Martin enthusiasts. There is also some evidence of being a 'petrolhead', with his drive in a club motor race last year.
As they say, 'the only way is up'. Well that might be the best phrase to use, when AML new car UK registrations during February were just 7. Yes seven cars. I hope they were not factory cars, because there are 19 dealers who need sales.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 6th March 20:07
Neil1300r said:
avinalarf said:
Load of bks.
Just make a range of sports cars and Gts that people,of either sex,want to buy.
He's not got that much money to play about with so why sod about around the fringes.
The obvious reason why AM sales are dipping is because almost all the relevant models are over 10 years old.
Even when the DB9 / Vantage were new women didn't buy them. I see it as a poitive that he has to expand the appeal from its exsitng core market. Adapt or die.ks.Just make a range of sports cars and Gts that people,of either sex,want to buy.
He's not got that much money to play about with so why sod about around the fringes.
The obvious reason why AM sales are dipping is because almost all the relevant models are over 10 years old.
The new Lagonda is part of that - a big 4 seater.
DBX? I'm less convinced by as they will need to buy in technology (all electric) or hope MB do all electric and give AM the technology.
One of the issues that women can have with the current range is the seating position. Women are typically shorter than men so they sit even lower - then they can't see the corners / judge width easily.
Of course me being 6' 3" I have no problem reaching the pedals.
What are the percentage of women that drive Ferraris ,Maseratis,McClarens.
Don't see them offering SUVs or bloody big saloons .
Jon39 said:
Great idea Mr. Avinalarf, but there is one snag.
They have already tried your idea for 102 years, and although wonderful cars are produced, they have repeatedly ended up saying, "Your cheque is in the post".
I think Dr. Palmer's business plan might work, and he appears to have respect for the marques history, and the present Aston Martin enthusiasts. There is also some evidence of being a 'petrolhead', with his drive in a club motor race last year.
As they say, 'the only way is up'.
Well that might be the best phrase, when AML UK new car registrations during February were 7.
Yes seven cars.
What plan ?They have already tried your idea for 102 years, and although wonderful cars are produced, they have repeatedly ended up saying, "Your cheque is in the post".
I think Dr. Palmer's business plan might work, and he appears to have respect for the marques history, and the present Aston Martin enthusiasts. There is also some evidence of being a 'petrolhead', with his drive in a club motor race last year.
As they say, 'the only way is up'.
Well that might be the best phrase, when AML UK new car registrations during February were 7.
Yes seven cars.
A bloody big saloon costing gawd knows what ?
An electric car ?
An overpriced SUV, in an already well served area.
NO.....get the core product right FIRST.
Unless AM are taken over by another company with deep pockets.
Tough one to attract new buyers without alienating existing purchasers. Read all the recent social media comments - most of which are probably not from actual AM owners. Everyone loves the unatainable Vulcan and GT3 but most cry foul on an AM SUV.
The 7,000 cap is the best thing he's said, now concentrate on sports cars and GTs to take you up to 6,500 per annum, then sell 500 Lagonda barges to the Far and Middle East, and you might just return to profitability. Do not under any circumstances whatsoever put an Aston Martin badge on anything that isn't a sports car or GT. It really will be the end.......it really will.
Through work I do know lots of 'Charlottes' in the USA. Every one of them has an Audi. They're smart enough to realise that American cars are crap and that Japanese cars are boring. They really love Audis most though, because you can get any one of their 300 models in 25 different shades of white.
The 7,000 cap is the best thing he's said, now concentrate on sports cars and GTs to take you up to 6,500 per annum, then sell 500 Lagonda barges to the Far and Middle East, and you might just return to profitability. Do not under any circumstances whatsoever put an Aston Martin badge on anything that isn't a sports car or GT. It really will be the end.......it really will.
Through work I do know lots of 'Charlottes' in the USA. Every one of them has an Audi. They're smart enough to realise that American cars are crap and that Japanese cars are boring. They really love Audis most though, because you can get any one of their 300 models in 25 different shades of white.
avinalarf said:
I can think of quite a few short arses who drive Astons,no names no pack drill,but .....as you've pushed me.....Nick and Jockers spring to mind,to name but three.
Of course me being 6' 3" I have no problem reaching the pedals.
What are the percentage of women that drive Ferraris ,Maseratis,McClarens.
Don't see them offering SUVs or bloody big saloons .
Porsche?Of course me being 6' 3" I have no problem reaching the pedals.
What are the percentage of women that drive Ferraris ,Maseratis,McClarens.
Don't see them offering SUVs or bloody big saloons .
Often see women driving 911's. More women drive Boxters. Even more drive Cayennes.
See lots of women with maclarens!
X
Trying to have a serious discussion here,Bins....so what car does your Charlotte drive ? 
Just to clear up any confusion......have you married her twice ?
Bincenzo said:
hashluck said:
.
What I really want to know is where can I meet Charlotte?
Pop round my place, I married her!What I really want to know is where can I meet Charlotte?
Just to clear up any confusion......have you married her twice ?
Edited by avinalarf on Friday 6th March 16:08
We have had this discussion a few times before.
I see two different issues. First the love of the sports cars, and secondly trying to achieve continuing profitability, enough to fund the repeated development costs.
Initially I hated the idea of an SUV, but so long as it is called Lagonda, I think it is worth a try. Certainly there is a market, even though there is plenty of competition. Around here at 3pm, you can hardly move for £100,000 SUVs driven by women. The vehicles probably only travel 10 miles a day.
I think a few big manufactures have looked at AML, but as Ford discovered, you can spend a fortune on developing new models which were greatly admired, get the production numbers up to 7,000 for one year, begin to make a modest profit, but then find you need another fortune for the successor models.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 6th March 20:23
Phil74891 said:
The 7,000 cap is the best thing he's said, now concentrate on sports cars and GTs to take you up to 6,500 per annum, then sell 500 Lagonda barges to the Far and Middle East, and you might just return to profitability. Do not under any circumstances whatsoever put an Aston Martin badge on anything that isn't a sports car or GT. It really will be the end.......it really will.
I read the 7000 limit being on 'traditional' sports / GT cars not total production. The DBX had an Aston badge on it, but wouldn't be included in the 7000 limit. Unless they badge engineer it as a Lagondaavinalarf said:
Trying to have a serious discussion here,Bins....so what car does your Charlotte drive ?
Just to clear up any confusion......have you married her twice ?
Sorry! Only married her once, my exuberance resulted in me posting twice. What does she drive? My Aston, of course......Just to clear up any confusion......have you married her twice ?
Edited by avinalarf on Friday 6th March 16:08
Jon39 said:
Initially I hated the idea of an SUV, but so long as it is called Lagonda, I think it is worth a try. Certainly there is a market, even though there is plenty of competition. Around here at 3pm, you can hardly move for £100,000 SUVs driven by women. The vehicles probably only travel 10 miles a day.
Ha, worst "I live in a posh neighborhood" comment ever Edited by Jon39 on Friday 6th March 20:23
Round here you can't get moved for single mothers wearing their dressing gowns and slippers whilst picking their kids up from school, calling in for scratch cards and micro wave chips on the way home I don't think Dr Palmer was talking with this place in mind, even though his old factory is here!
steveatesh said:
Jon39 said:
Initially I hated the idea of an SUV, but so long as it is called Lagonda, I think it is worth a try. Certainly there is a market, even though there is plenty of competition. Around here at 3pm, you can hardly move for £100,000 SUVs driven by women. The vehicles probably only travel 10 miles a day.
Ha, worst "I live in a posh neighborhood" comment ever Round here you can't get moved for single mothers wearing their dressing gowns and slippers whilst picking their kids up from school, calling in for scratch cards and micro wave chips on the way home I don't think Dr Palmer was talking with this place in mind, even though his old factory is here!
Do not be confused.
I said 'around here', not I live here. I do travel and observe.
My comment followed seeing so many of these expensive monsters, being driven by females, and judging by the time and traffic queues, probably collecting children from school. Quite why such enormous vehicles are needed, to transport a couple of small children, I do not know. Could it be for status reasons?
Anyway, seeing how popular this top SUV brand activity has become, made me realise just which market Dr. Palmer is after. As mentioned, I just hope the production SUV bears the name Lagonda. Obviously Porsche use the same brand name for their sports cars and SUVs without problem, but do you consider they have different circumstances?
Jon39 said:
Having looked at the figures, it appears that Porsche has now become an SUV maker, who also build sports cars.
2013 PRODUCTION
Cayenne = 81,916
911 = 29,751
Boxter & Cayman = 28,996
That is really sad. And consider that most Cayenne's sold will be VW/Audi Diesel powered. I used to be a Porsche fan, I was born in a 911 so to speak, my dad was very active in Porsche clubs and had a beautiful collection which he sold.2013 PRODUCTION
Cayenne = 81,916
911 = 29,751
Boxter & Cayman = 28,996
OK they still build some very nice sportscars but the brand in my eyes has diluted and lost its exclusivity, I don't even turn my head anymore when I see one (and I don't speak of Cayenne's) and lost interest.
I sincerely hope Aston will remain exclusive and desirable. Palmer says we keep production at 7,000 but what if their SUV becomes a fashion item, the car every Charlotte in town want to part-exchange their SUV for? Will they turn down sizable profits or build a new SUV factory where they will put a bespoke bodywork and hand-stitched leather interior to existing chassis and engines coming from their technical partner Mercedes-Benz. How exclusive will that be?
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