UK SALES 12% DOWN

[Jon39]

Aston Martin new UK registrations are 12% down for 2016, to the end of October, compared with the same period in 2015.

708 cars (previous year 804).

Let's get those wonderful new DB11s out through the factory gate.

I wonder if there is now perhaps greater concentration on exports.

The 2015 numbers might have been boosted by DB11 prototype cars.

[The Surveyor]

Jon39 said:

I wonder if there is now perhaps greater concentration on exports.

The 2015 numbers might have been boosted by DB11 prototype cars.

Also trying to be positive... I would say that AM have been flogging fewer of the old models as potential buyers would be waiting for the DB11 launch. Why would you buy a V12 Vantage or DB9, a car based on a 12 year old design when the all-new exciting DB11 was coming through.

[Big Ry]

The Surveyor said:

Also trying to be positive... I would say that AM have been flogging fewer of the old models as potential buyers would be waiting for the DB11 launch. Why would you buy a V12 Vantage or DB9, a car based on a 12 year old design when the all-new exciting DB11 was coming through.

I agree that if you were in the market for a DB9 then you'd probably have waited for the DB11, however the V12 Vantage and the DB11 are like chalk and cheese.

Personally i'm not much of a fan (visually) of the DB11, and the Vantage to me is still the best looking car there is. I'm keen to see what the all new Vantage (ow whatever it's called) will be like though.

[HBradley]

I'll be following the development of new models with great interest & sincerely hope the strategy works in terms of profitability, but sheer economics & the new direction towards turbocharged engines will mean that when it's time to upgrade I'll be looking a pre-owned NA cars (V12Vs or DB9s).

[Guycord]

I think its also worth noting that the new cars will be looking considerably cheaper now if you're from the US, Euro-Area or Far-East and not buying in GBP terms.

[RobDown]

I think from memory only 20% of sales are U.K. now. But even so that's not great

The weakness of the pound should be good for their exports, but we may get hit in due course with a price rise (might be good for residuals though!)

The big problem for AML though is the potential loss of trade deals (if we ever get around to Brexit!). I note that the pro-Brexit Mr Palmer has now joined Nissan in lobbying for special treatment (read : more taxpayer help). Cake + eating it

[V8 Vantage GT]

I don't believe US sales are that great either. I have seen no lowering of prices on any British cars. You can get some amazing deals on new Aston's, because they are just not selling that well at msrp. So much competition these days for higher end cars. Most people who purchase an Aston Martin already know they want the car. People who want the latest and fastest, who don't care about heritage or class won't be buying one. Hope Aston will turn out the next generation Vantage sooner that later. That is their best seller and money maker. Much larger market for $100,000 - $150,000 cars, than $250,000+ cars.