Owners & Enthusiasts View of AM's Strengths & Weaknesses?

[superlightr]

Hillbilly75 said:

avinalarf said:

Strengths.....You pull a lot of birds (if Tony can pull then anyone can).
Weaknesses....Some of them might be munters.

Ha! If someone put this (and only this) on an application form I reviewed it would be an instant interview!

Disclaimer: I am not qualified in HR.

Yes do put this.

I interviewed a young chap for a job simply becasue he put down as a reason why he wanted to work for us was ' all estate agents have flash cars and earn loads of money' and as I could not fault his logic gave him an interview when we would not have otherwise. Those were the critera that I aimed and aim for even now !

[ktm301p]

These responses are fantastic, can I just say that I saw the paul hollywood's programme the other night on tv and I'm happy to report that this is one of the least 'snobbish' areas of Pistonheads I've visited(!) Honestly thank you everyone for giving such considerate replies.

Having read & digested everyone's input, I'm only allowed to narrow it down to three specific strengths and weaknesses of AML as an organisation.

Strengths:

• Highly respected and established brand identity - Loyal customer base, Widespread public recognition and admiration, extensive heritage, iconic product placement (007), involvement and success in motorsport.
• Company size - (although this is also a weakness) - Ability to react quickly to market conditions and opportunities
• Customer Management Processes and Engagement Experiences - Events targeted at the customer to make them feel special, unique and valued. Maybe not technically as good as competition, but it is more desirable because of this. Also supported by aesthetic design and degree of personalisation, making normal options more akin to tailor made.

Weaknesses:

• Ability to make a profit – Constrained financial resources for investment in model development &

diversification. Difficult to raise capital via investment as it requires the release of equity or increase sales volume of out-dated models.

• Organisation size and location – vulnerable to financial shocks, regulatory change, and more difficult to

arrange preferential financial terms with suppliers. Also, increased overhead costs to fund domestic workforce.

• Lack of model diversification and out-dated technology in current vehicles. Similar aesthetic design amongst current range and dated in-vehicle infotainment system, inferior single clutch plate still being used.

• *Not sure whether to replace quality control and poor warranty processes with one of the above?***

• Quality Control and Warranty Experience – Poor paintwork (which is often not repaired under warranty),

signing off vehicles with issues that are then passed on to the customer via warranty, thus deteriorating satisfaction, loyalty and perceived quality of service.

[michael gould]

ktm301p said:

Hi all,

I'm currently filling out an application for Aston Martin to get onboard their marketing graduate scheme, and one of the questions Aston ask is to suggest what are their three main strengths and weaknesses as an organisation. I do have my own opinions on what these are, and have researched the company's history. But this really is the dream job so I wanted to just go the extra mile and ask you guys - the actual owners and enthusiasts - of your opinions and thoughts about the brands strengths and weaknesses.

Thanks,
Alex

so the question is strengths and weaknesses of the organisation

strengths

1. repeatedly voted as the coolest brand in the UK
2. its products both present and in the past are considered "iconic"
3. has brand loyalty amongst owners despite its weaknesses

weaknesses

1. has rarely made a profit despite its strengths
2. has rarely made a profit despite its strengths
3. has rarely made a profit despite its strengths

[V8Andrew]

Great question.

When I bought my vantage I could have bought a Maserati, Audi R8 or Nissan GTR. Already owned a 911 and could have upgraded to a turbo. Both the Audi, GTR and 911 turbo would have been faster. None would be an Aston Martin. Sometimes it's about how you look when you arrive and how much style you have when you do arrive as well as how quickly you get there. As a Bond fan and proudly British I can't think of any car brand which evokes as much emotion. We've sold the 911 now as we didn't drive it. It had no sense of occasion, despite being a great car objectively speaking. Drive a 911 and unless it's a GT3 in a bright colour nobody even notices you. Drive any Aston Martin in a subtle colour and you get let out at junctions.
I happen to think that the Vantage, especially before Aston Martin added lots of bodywork addenda, is one of the best car designs ever, an original e-type jag beats it, and an original countach would also but that's about it.

So rambling on, good points, brand, image, design.

Bad points? Really as others have said there are a few niggles. Paint is my biggest bugbear, a defective manufacturing process leads to bubbling in certain places on the cars. The sat nav is ornamental, the theatre when it pops up from the centre console definitely being its best feature. I'll live with the niggles though.

I'm not sure about the Mercedes engine strategy. I'm sure they are good engines, but I like the romance of where the current engines are from. I'll reserve full judgement until I've driven the next generation.

[superlightr]

may want to add something about the workforce/staff. Any compnay is only as good as their workforce and having energetic, enthisastic and skillfull members of that team (of which you would like to add to if successful) is vital. Passion.

Edited by superlightr on Tuesday 6th October 13:44

[kbooker]

Hillbilly75 said:

avinalarf said:

Strengths.....You pull a lot of birds (if Tony can pull then anyone can).
Weaknesses....Some of them might be munters.

Ha! If someone put this (and only this) on an application form I reviewed it would be an instant interview!

Disclaimer: I am not qualified in HR.

I'd give you the job without an interview

[Phil74891]

ktm301p said:

These responses are fantastic, can I just say that I saw the paul hollywood's programme the other night on tv and I'm happy to report that this is one of the least 'snobbish' areas of Pistonheads I've visited(!) Honestly thank you everyone for giving such considerate replies.

Having read & digested everyone's input, I'm only allowed to narrow it down to three specific strengths and weaknesses of AML as an organisation.

Strengths:

• Highly respected and established brand identity - Loyal customer base, Widespread public recognition and admiration, extensive heritage, iconic product placement (007), involvement and success in motorsport.
• Company size - (although this is also a weakness) - Ability to react quickly to market conditions and opportunities
• Customer Management Processes and Engagement Experiences - Events targeted at the customer to make them feel special, unique and valued. Maybe not technically as good as competition, but it is more desirable because of this. Also supported by aesthetic design and degree of personalisation, making normal options more akin to tailor made.

Weaknesses:

• Ability to make a profit – Constrained financial resources for investment in model development &

diversification. Difficult to raise capital via investment as it requires the release of equity or increase sales volume of out-dated models.

• Organisation size and location – vulnerable to financial shocks, regulatory change, and more difficult to

arrange preferential financial terms with suppliers. Also, increased overhead costs to fund domestic workforce.

• Lack of model diversification and out-dated technology in current vehicles. Similar aesthetic design amongst current range and dated in-vehicle infotainment system, inferior single clutch plate still being used.

• *Not sure whether to replace quality control and poor warranty processes with one of the above?***

• Quality Control and Warranty Experience – Poor paintwork (which is often not repaired under warranty),

signing off vehicles with issues that are then passed on to the customer via warranty, thus deteriorating satisfaction, loyalty and perceived quality of service.

Sorry, late to the party. That's an excellent synopsis of the thoughts so far. You could narrow it down a little by using your first strength, and your first weakness:

Strengths:

• Highly respected and established brand identity - Loyal customer base, Widespread public recognition and admiration, extensive heritage, iconic product placement (007), involvement and success in motorsport.

Weaknesses:

• Ability to make a profit – Constrained financial resources for investment in model development & diversification. Difficult to raise capital via investment as it requires the release of equity or increase sales volume of out-dated models.

I think they fundamentaly sum up where the company is at currently, and where it's been for so long. Then you could lead onto the other issues that are a result of this bigger picture.

Problems like dodgy paint and misting headlights etc, while clearly not acceptable for vehicles of this class, are typical of all manufacturers. Ferrari ball joints, Porsche engine fires, Maserati electrics etc. etc.

There's been loads of talk about where Mr Palmer should take the company on here for months.

I believe he says he'll cap sports car production at 7,000 per year, which is a great idea I believe, but he did say something a little disturbing on the programme the other night.

When he was showing Paul Hollywood the DBX as a 'raised up DB9', he said something like 'The DBX will fund the development of those beautiful sports cars.'

Aside from the issue of the majority of his client base not wanting to see 'our' name on an SUV, I'm just wondering how many hundreds of millions of Pounds of R & D will be needed to bring a product up to Range Rover levels of ability, let alone Tesla, if it's to be electric.

Then, who's going to buy it?

So sorry, I've hijacked your thread OP. Very best of luck!

[Jon39]

ktm301p said:

Weaknesses:
...

• Organisation size and location – vulnerable to financial shocks, regulatory change, and more difficult to

arrange preferential financial terms with suppliers. Also, increased overhead costs to fund domestic workforce.

If I have understood you correctly Alex, I think you need to be very careful when talking about 'domestic workforce'.

AML has always built cars in Britain, and that is one of the brand strengths. If you are comparing employee costs in Warwickshire, with the savings that could be made by building the cars in say India, don't even think about it. Also, where will your recruiter be based!

( Having said that though, here is a pub quizz question. Few probably know, but where was the first Vantage V8 prototype built? Answer, India. )

Many automotive suppliers are in the Midlands, so location is geographically efficient.

Funny enough (don't put this on your application), AML have always managed to raise capital during their 102 years. It is paying back the investors that has been the problem. However, with such passion surrounding the marque, there always seem to be more investors ready to own part of the business.

[v8maniac]

From an outside UK buyer...

Strengths: Design capability, engineering capability, motorsport association
Weaknesses: Reliability, quality, spare parts pricing

Just a few examples:

Strengths: epic design of the Vantage, DB9 or One-77, developing of the VH platform, use of proven concepts, e.g. double wishbone suspension system, reliable V8 engine with dry sump

Weaknesses: unable to update outdated infotainment/navigation system, unable to update clutch system at Vantage models, after ten years of building the Vantage headlamps still get foggy, simple wear parts, e.g. rubber bush/seal, have incredible after sales pricing, V12 engine still no dry sump