Discussion
cardigankid said:
FatFrank said:
DB9VolanteDriver said:
A car (or other automotive related company) buying AM as a trophy is just what AM needs. People should remember that Ford bought AM for the very same reason. Once bought, they injected massive amounts of money into AM, which is still bearing fruit at AM today.
It wasn't just the money that Ford poured into Aston that made it what it is today, it was the parts bin. Without the equivalent wealth of resource to draw from it wouldn't be long before whoever invests in Aston either, severly compromises the future product, or chokes on the cost of making new vehicles. Ford brought everything from engines to instrument clusters into our cars. Ultimately we need a company with similar resources to that which Ford had if we want to see the next generation of cars that we all desire. BMW, MB, VAG, JLR or even Toyota with its demonstrated LF-A mindset would be better than M&M.FF
Aston knows HOW to do it, they just don't have the money to do it...
DB9VolanteDriver said:
···· Aston knows HOW to do it, they just don't have the money to do it...
What a perfect quotation. Possibly applicable at every change of owner since 1913.The UK figures for the Vantage, show how difficult the car manufacturing business is.
With initial model excitement .............. 1504 new registrations in 2006.
When the model is 5 years old ............. 358 new registrations in 2011.
Demand for some items remains fairly constant, but with motor vehicles, consumers always seem to demand the latest.
Unless the profits from one model can fund development of a successor, then your quotation will be applicable again.
cardigankid said:
FatFrank said:
DB9VolanteDriver said:
A car (or other automotive related company) buying AM as a trophy is just what AM needs. People should remember that Ford bought AM for the very same reason. Once bought, they injected massive amounts of money into AM, which is still bearing fruit at AM today.
It wasn't just the money that Ford poured into Aston that made it what it is today, it was the parts bin. Without the equivalent wealth of resource to draw from it wouldn't be long before whoever invests in Aston either, severly compromises the future product, or chokes on the cost of making new vehicles. Ford brought everything from engines to instrument clusters into our cars. Ultimately we need a company with similar resources to that which Ford had if we want to see the next generation of cars that we all desire. BMW, MB, VAG, JLR or even Toyota with its demonstrated LF-A mindset would be better than M&M.FF
You can already see many examples of these JLR successes through economies of scale such as the new digital instrument cluster and pop up shift selector being deployed across both car and SUV significant volume. Unique product component propositions as these are those that Aston will only be able to dream of without an OEM partner, no matter how deep the investors pockets.
Additionally, do not forget that the genesis of much of JLRs product and engine range is still from Ford. Even the Evoque has its routes in a Ford platform.
FF
Edited by FatFrank on Thursday 29th November 03:46
Updated article by Reuters on M&M:-
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/business-...
And its now being officially admitted that AM / Investment DAR are looking for new investors
http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2012-11-28/ast...
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/business-...
And its now being officially admitted that AM / Investment DAR are looking for new investors
http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2012-11-28/ast...
Edited by Neil1300R on Thursday 29th November 08:38
Mahindra Spokesman said:
Even as the company vies for Aston Martin, it is eyeing a couple of smaller European auto component makers that are on the block due to mounting losses, said another source.
"They don't go after deals proactively and end up overpaying, and would rather wait for the stressed assets to come to the market," the banker said.
"They are focused on building a little empire of prized assets instead of shock-and-awe kind of deals."
"They are very portfolio-centric, opportunistic, in their M&A strategy. They believe in zeroing into a stressed situation and cleaning the mess quickly so that you can capture the value,"
Seems to contradict any attempt to buy in to AML "They don't go after deals proactively and end up overpaying, and would rather wait for the stressed assets to come to the market," the banker said.
"They are focused on building a little empire of prized assets instead of shock-and-awe kind of deals."
"They are very portfolio-centric, opportunistic, in their M&A strategy. They believe in zeroing into a stressed situation and cleaning the mess quickly so that you can capture the value,"
t sticking to them 
Autocar report today
Aston Martin has confirmed that it is in advanced talks with investors for an equity injection.
A document sent to bond holders in the firm today reported: "Aston Martin, with the support of its shareholders, confirms that discussions are at an advanced stage to secure a capital increase which will ensure it can deliver its medium and long-term growth plans."
Both Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra and Italian buyout firm Invest Industrial are reported to be vying to invest in Aston, with the former offering a significantly greater cash injection and the latter offering less financial support but a technical partnership with Mercedes and AMG.
Initial reports suggested that Invest Industrial were favourites to secure the £250m deal, but sources now suggest that Mahindra & Mahindra has moved ahead in negotiations and is the favoured partner. The winning bidder is expect to own 40% of the company and have 50% of the voting rights.
Financial analysts are reporting that the admission to bond holders that talks are underway signals that a deal is likely to be imminent, and could be concluded within a week.
Aston Martin has confirmed that it is in advanced talks with investors for an equity injection.
A document sent to bond holders in the firm today reported: "Aston Martin, with the support of its shareholders, confirms that discussions are at an advanced stage to secure a capital increase which will ensure it can deliver its medium and long-term growth plans."
Both Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra and Italian buyout firm Invest Industrial are reported to be vying to invest in Aston, with the former offering a significantly greater cash injection and the latter offering less financial support but a technical partnership with Mercedes and AMG.
Initial reports suggested that Invest Industrial were favourites to secure the £250m deal, but sources now suggest that Mahindra & Mahindra has moved ahead in negotiations and is the favoured partner. The winning bidder is expect to own 40% of the company and have 50% of the voting rights.
Financial analysts are reporting that the admission to bond holders that talks are underway signals that a deal is likely to be imminent, and could be concluded within a week.
Still got Morgan and Noble 
That's pretty much all we're good for; very small and very niche. Aston got too big.
You forgot TVR - Russian halfwit
MG Rover - Nanjing Automotive
Lotus - Proton or whoever it is today
However, with regard to your examples; all those companies have made roaring successes of car makers tht would probably otherwise be defunct. And they are still mostly made here with Brit workers. In this day and age of globalisation, who really cares who owns who...
That's pretty much all we're good for; very small and very niche. Aston got too big.
You forgot TVR - Russian halfwit
MG Rover - Nanjing Automotive
Lotus - Proton or whoever it is today
However, with regard to your examples; all those companies have made roaring successes of car makers tht would probably otherwise be defunct. And they are still mostly made here with Brit workers. In this day and age of globalisation, who really cares who owns who...
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