Goodbye Stroll
Discussion
About the author.
Srijon Jana is a Formula 1 writer at The SportsRush. As a medical undergrad with a passion for motorsports, Srijon loves juggling between corpses and cars with ease. He started watching F1 when he was only 11, and the beautiful cars grabbed his interest. Even now, he religiously follows all the Grands Prix, and when he is not gushing over Charles Leclerc, he likes to dabble in football as well. He is a college quizzer with several state-level and national-level accolades. He is a proud Ferrari fan, and loves to pass his free time reading, watching movies, and spending some quality time with his friends and family.
No mention by Srijon of any interest in business finance then.
I certainly do not believe LS is about to resign as Chairman of AMLGH plc.
1. The losses in 2023 Q2 were not a sudden change from previous periods.
2. Agree that the 2022 Q4 figures were a 'one off positive surprise', but it was obvious that normal service would resume, which it soon did.
'In Q4 we also demonstrated our ability to be free cash flow positive, highlighting the potential of our business to operate sustainably in the future. We exited 2022 with the strongest order book this Company has seen in many years, with heightened excitement around our brand and growing demand for our products.' (Pinch of salt)
The 2021 and 2022 annual pre-tax losses put the articles headline into perspective (2021 loss £214m, 2022 loss £495m).
3. The article makes no mention of the biggest benefit to LS's F1 team. The annual sponsorship payment is 'almost' an irrelevance.
The really big deal being the free use of Aston Martin's name until 2050. Sponsors of the F1 team love being associated with Aston Martin. Racing Point did not attract huge money sponsors in quite the same way.
Although we now detect an improved relationship between LS and Geely, my guess if there were to be a hostile bid from Geely, would be that PIF becomes a white knight coming to the rescue. The F1 team could happily carry on then.
All guesses of course, but I feel there is some logic involved.
As we know, raising more money never seems to be difficult for AML. If fact quite remarkable, but good on them. Buying more newly issued shares is entirely voluntary, although possibly being somewhat encouraged by the excitement and glamour of AML.
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 8th August 19:09
I saw this article posted on Facebook today but didn’t really think it warranted a share. It sounds like young Mr S Jana is a very busy writer for the said publication. Three or four articles every day, mainly focussing on F1. In fact he sounds like the perfect potential new customer for AML! 
But as Jon said I would question his business background and possibly his sources. There are numerous knowledgable people on here who post well researched and accurate information, so imho I’ll treat this nonsense as the usual on line clickbait that seems to be so prevalent nowadays. I would however agree that at some point we will see LS step away, and perhaps a deal will get done involving PIF and Geely. As I’ve said before, LS in many ways reminds me of Philip Green, although I do hope he doesn’t bleed AML dry before he cashes out. But cash out (of AML, maybe not AMF1) he most certainly will, and whether his legacy will be looked upon favourably only time will tell. BRM.
But as Jon said I would question his business background and possibly his sources. There are numerous knowledgable people on here who post well researched and accurate information, so imho I’ll treat this nonsense as the usual on line clickbait that seems to be so prevalent nowadays. I would however agree that at some point we will see LS step away, and perhaps a deal will get done involving PIF and Geely. As I’ve said before, LS in many ways reminds me of Philip Green, although I do hope he doesn’t bleed AML dry before he cashes out. But cash out (of AML, maybe not AMF1) he most certainly will, and whether his legacy will be looked upon favourably only time will tell. BRM. In general I’m not a big fan of gossip even if I visit forums occasionally. I did, however, find it peculiar that the author states AML and Mercedes has a relationship that Geely would want to save. Makes it sound like Geely and Mercedes are strangers and there might be some heavy lifting. On the contrary, Geely ownership reinforces a Mercedes role, IMO.
I didn’t really get the connection why AML would withdraw from F1 because of Honda.. Maybe Geely might not think it’s the best place for $30MM but I don’t how having a Honda partner in F1 alienates Mercedes. The whole thing seemed a bit like a non-sequitor.
Anyway, I’m through with any Stroll bashing. IMO, he’s just another AML boss struggling to make something happen. Just like Andy Palmer. If AML reorganizes and flushes out all the equity holders and debt, I don’t care as long as they continue to make great cars…the new Vantage, the DB11, the DBS, all the variants… pushed AML forward, IMO. The DB12 continues the trend.
I didn’t really get the connection why AML would withdraw from F1 because of Honda.. Maybe Geely might not think it’s the best place for $30MM but I don’t how having a Honda partner in F1 alienates Mercedes. The whole thing seemed a bit like a non-sequitor.
Anyway, I’m through with any Stroll bashing. IMO, he’s just another AML boss struggling to make something happen. Just like Andy Palmer. If AML reorganizes and flushes out all the equity holders and debt, I don’t care as long as they continue to make great cars…the new Vantage, the DB11, the DBS, all the variants… pushed AML forward, IMO. The DB12 continues the trend.
GreasyHands said:
Sorry but I really can’t go along with the “new new Vantage”. I think it needs to be the “ultra new Vantage”.
Perhaps when the price is announced, with 40% margin, you might be right, GH.
Definition: Ultra - extremely; beyond a particular limit.
The particular limit in this instance, being the maximum price that most of us might think is sensible, for a little used weekend 'toy'.
£250,000 (depreciating by £100,000 in 3 years) is perhaps rather too high ultra, for many of us.
Hopefully there will be a sufficient number of more profligate customers, to meet LS's target of AML being cash positive next year.
Stated as 2024, not next, next, next year.
Reynardff1600 said:
I believe there is some truth to the story. Stroll is a clothing guy not a car guy. How many people have tried to run AM and have failed including Ford.
Ford/AM did not fail. Ford at the time hired a new CEO, Alan Mulally. He made Ford divest all of their brands, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, AM, for penny's on the dollar. Ford invested billions into AM and basically gave it away. I remember him saying he didn't want to see one employee show up to work driving anything but a Ford, don't bring your Jaguars or Land Rovers to work or you will be fired. AstonV said:
I remember him saying he didn't want to see one employee show up to work driving anything but a Ford, don't bring your Jaguars or Land Rovers to work, or you will be fired.
Yes, a wonderful owner. Gave the go-ahead for DB7, a hugely successful turn-around, which then led to their agreement for the new VH models and the brand new Gaydon factory. Ford showered AML with money and engineering guidance. It clearly saved Aston Martin, because when Ford arrived, Newport Pagnell was only making a few cars, with employees wearing brown overalls and using hammers.
Can understand Ford expected loyalty from employees, but a little odd regarding Jaguar. There must be a story there.
Look back in the old accounts and you will find that the technical owner of AML, was a Ford subsidiary called Jaguar.
Jon39 said:
Yes, a wonderful owner. Gave the go-ahead for DB7, a hugely successful turn-around, which then led to their agreement for the new VH models and the brand new Gaydon factory. Ford showered AML with money and engineering guidance. It clearly saved Aston Martin, because when Ford arrived, Newport Pagnell was only making a few cars, with employees wearing brown overalls and using hammers.
Can understand Ford expected loyalty from employees, but a little odd regarding Jaguar. There must be a story there.
Look back in the old accounts and you will find that the technical owner of AML, was a Ford subsidiary called Jaguar.
GreasyHands said:
Sure Ford showered AML with lots of money but in the end I think Ford lost a boatload of money for the ownership experience.
Any different than all the other owners, or even Stroll?
But none could provide the engineering or capital of a Ford. So the company since has been held together with duct tape. Any different than all the other owners, or even Stroll?
AstonV said:
It was back in mid 2000 financial meltdown. Ford was the only American car company to not ask for a government bailout. It’s unfortunate Ford did not sell AM to Tata along with Jaguar/Land Rover. Aston might have been a huge success. Instead of owners always running the company on a shoestring.
Actually it was another Indian company that was in discussions to buy it but lost out to the Bez consortium.AstonV said:
Ford/AM did not fail. Ford at the time hired a new CEO, Alan Mulally. He made Ford divest all of their brands, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, AM, for penny's on the dollar. Ford invested billions into AM and basically gave it away. I remember him saying he didn't want to see one employee show up to work driving anything but a Ford, don't bring your Jaguars or Land Rovers to work or you will be fired.
True, they extended it to key subcontractors as well (at least in terms the account manager and "do you want to be renewed") - our company at the time had Ford as a key customer and it was very clear...AstonV said:
v8vantage said:
Actually it was another Indian company that was in discussions to buy it, but lost out to the Bez consortium.
You're correct, I believe it was Mahindra. Unfortunately they didn't win. I remember that Mahindra was interested in 2019, when eventually Lawrence Stroll was selected, but did not realise they were also in discussions to purchase back in 2007, when Ford sold to the David Richards consortium.
Jon39 said:
I remember that Mahindra was interested in 2019, when eventually Lawrence Stroll was selected, but did not realise they were also in discussions to purchase back in 2007, when Ford sold to the David Richards consortium.
Forums | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff