Why are AM's core products not selling?
Discussion
AlexT said:
I visited my dealer within days of them getting the new Vantage in stock with the aim to purchase within 6-12 months. My immediate impression I recall was that the bonnet was a vast, boring bit of metal. It needed breaking up. It also lacked the powerful 'V' shaped lines that the previous Vantage and Vanquish (that were incidentally parked next to it) shared. The lack thereof plus the bonnet gap dividing the front bumper made it look inferior and less exotic. The best thing AM can do with the current Vantage design is to allow it to share a bonnet design in keeping with the DB11/DBSS.
The lights were fine in real life (I had my doubts viewing pictures) and even the gaping mouth actually looked good. However cheap mesh lacked class and I didn't think fitting for this price range at all.
Interior-wise...quite simply....they need to take a leaf out of Bentley for both the new Vantage and DB11. IE: add more quality touches and integrate the screen. Also bring back the crystal key or similar. Would love to have a chat with the designers and see what their motivations/opinions/budgets etc were in creating the new Vantage!
The lights were fine in real life (I had my doubts viewing pictures) and even the gaping mouth actually looked good. However cheap mesh lacked class and I didn't think fitting for this price range at all.
Interior-wise...quite simply....they need to take a leaf out of Bentley for both the new Vantage and DB11. IE: add more quality touches and integrate the screen. Also bring back the crystal key or similar. Would love to have a chat with the designers and see what their motivations/opinions/budgets etc were in creating the new Vantage!
I don't know whether you were also influenced by the comments of many PHers at the time Alex, but judging by the depreciation we now see (imagine asking a main dealer for trade-in value), you have probably saved yourself a considerable sum of money.
DBSSV20 said:
Well for starters easy money sloshing around 04-08!
MBNA 0% credit cards .. put the pcp deposit on that and off you went!
No Brexit no covid , but sales are the barometer of a fantastic car alone.......
How many 360s & 430’s did Ferrari sell in the same period.... loads! And I personally wasn’t taken by both of those offerings either.
Compare to competitors though. Porsche 911 is doing very well the last few years though. Ferrari has just done extremely well in the midst of coronavirus. What you stated could be true if it affected the whole market - but it seems to be rather more Aston specific. MBNA 0% credit cards .. put the pcp deposit on that and off you went!
No Brexit no covid , but sales are the barometer of a fantastic car alone.......
How many 360s & 430’s did Ferrari sell in the same period.... loads! And I personally wasn’t taken by both of those offerings either.
True, but I’m of the opinion that there is an air of ‘ the kings new clothes ‘ syndrome.
Ferrari ( and I’m an owner of one btw) could launch an Austin Allegro with a prancing horse on the bonnet and there would be a Q round the block ( as long as it was made in Rosso Corsa of course)
And as for Porsche, they have been playing a blinder since the mid 80’s with the 911 and some of them ( not all) could be accused as a fairy story, from the pen of Hans C Andersen himself!
Ferrari ( and I’m an owner of one btw) could launch an Austin Allegro with a prancing horse on the bonnet and there would be a Q round the block ( as long as it was made in Rosso Corsa of course)
And as for Porsche, they have been playing a blinder since the mid 80’s with the 911 and some of them ( not all) could be accused as a fairy story, from the pen of Hans C Andersen himself!
DBSSV20 said:
True, but I’m of the opinion that there is an air of ‘ the kings new clothes ‘ syndrome.
Ferrari ( and I’m an owner of one btw) could launch an Austin Allegro with a prancing horse on the bonnet and there would be a Q round the block ( as long as it was made in Rosso Corsa of course)
And as for Porsche, they have been playing a blinder since the mid 80’s with the 911 and some of them ( not all) could be accused as a fairy story, from the pen of Hans C Andersen himself!
So Porsche and Ferrari are doing well and Aston poorly because most of the customers are simply wrong. Got it! Ferrari ( and I’m an owner of one btw) could launch an Austin Allegro with a prancing horse on the bonnet and there would be a Q round the block ( as long as it was made in Rosso Corsa of course)
And as for Porsche, they have been playing a blinder since the mid 80’s with the 911 and some of them ( not all) could be accused as a fairy story, from the pen of Hans C Andersen himself!
Jon39 said:
I don't know whether you were also influenced by the comments of many PHers at the time Alex, but judging by the depreciation we now see (imagine asking a main dealer for trade-in value), you have probably saved yourself a considerable sum of money.
Yes, the depreciation seems to be immense.
AlexT said:
Jon I do recall reading the negative feedback on this forum at the time. And, considering the launch colour, wasn't suprised. I couldn't help but think that Ferrari would never have chosen such an audacious colour for launch! However, I persisted and was extremely excited as I walked into the showroom and surveyed the floor. The first view was of the rear. The car looked much better in reality (as they always do). And decently compact which I very much liked. However, when I finally laid eyes on that bulbous, featureless front bonnet - that was when I immediately had second thoughts.
Yes, the depreciation seems to be immense.
Yes, the depreciation seems to be immense.
Now looking back two years, perhaps we could change your word negative, to prescience.
A few PHers, who were shown the car in advance of the launch, even told AML that the front design would not be popular with existing loyalists (likely buyers).
How costly is has been, for them to ignore such helpful free advice.
Venturist said:
So Porsche and Ferrari are doing well and Aston poorly because most of the customers are simply wrong. Got it!
Indeed, don’t tell me Ferrari hasn’t taken the Pista out of Pista owners , However you cannot please everyone and certainly not the luddites!
How many times has Porsche been in the brink, rescued by the boxster and cayenne and 924/44 .
The all conquering 911( I use that phrase with a sprinkling of irony) hasn’t always been righteous amongst the petrol heads .
Ferrari ( The company ) are a nightmare to deal with and Porsche are not much better,and this will bite them on the bum at some point in the future... mark my words
Jon39 said:
Now looking back two years, perhaps we could change your word negative, to prescience.
A few PHers, who were shown the car in advance of the launch, even told AML that the front design would not be popular with existing loyalists (likely buyers).
How costly is has been, for them to ignore such helpful free advice.
That DBSS Zagato is a hodgepodge of styling, I`m sure Andy Palmers mother wouldn`t have a clue what it was, the earlier Supra comment made me laugh. I much, MUCH prefer the standard DBSS.
While the "Andy`s mother" scenario seemed a plausible gambit at few years back, when looking now at the offerings I have to wonder who really cared if there was a brand similarity, isn`t that what motor vehicle companies want, that recognition? The owners and enthusiasts can generally tell them apart, if they bought an AM for the right reasons, and everyone else is "Wow, an Austin Martin..."
While the "Andy`s mother" scenario seemed a plausible gambit at few years back, when looking now at the offerings I have to wonder who really cared if there was a brand similarity, isn`t that what motor vehicle companies want, that recognition? The owners and enthusiasts can generally tell them apart, if they bought an AM for the right reasons, and everyone else is "Wow, an Austin Martin..."
Mr.Tremlini said:
That DBSS Zagato is a hodgepodge of styling, I`m sure Andy Palmers mother wouldn`t have a clue what it was, the earlier Supra comment made me laugh. I much, MUCH prefer the standard DBSS.
Z cars are always controversial. DB7 is much better looking than DB7Z.Just because something is rare it does not mean it is better.
Jon39 said:
Now looking back two years, perhaps we could change your word negative, to prescience.
A few PHers, who were shown the car in advance of the launch, even told AML that the front design would not be popular with existing loyalists (likely buyers).
How costly is has been, for them to ignore such helpful free advice.
I would suggest that AM were too far down the line well before the free advice was offered.
Still agree it’s been costly to AM but by how much we’ll never know.
Buster73 said:
The free advice was offered after the car was signed off for production though , or at least probably too late to change the front significantly ?
I would suggest that AM were too far down the line well before the free advice was offered.
Still agree it’s been costly to AM but by how much we’ll never know.
When you look at some of the new AMG GT stuff, they too have gopping great grilles, whilst they have broken them up differently the air flow/cooling is obviously what is driving this - so I suspect any radical Vantage changes will be saved for when the V6 arrives?I would suggest that AM were too far down the line well before the free advice was offered.
Still agree it’s been costly to AM but by how much we’ll never know.
There is a similarity to the grille on the AMG GT and the Vantage
oilit said:
...... the air flow/cooling is obviously what is driving this -
I am not convinced that this is engineering, but simply fashion.
The first car that I recall being given a much bigger grille, was the Rover 75.
Soon followed by Audi and then everyone else.
Can you imagine a ship or aircraft having an enormous blunt front ?
Surely a huge amount of air coming in to the engine compartment, requires the same huge amount of air to be let out, otherwise it would slow the car. We don't see correspondingly huge air outlets.
Where will it end ?
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 11th August 21:54
Buster73 said:
Jon39 said:
Now looking back two years, perhaps we could change your word negative, to prescience.
A few PHers, who were shown the car in advance of the launch, even told AML that the front design would not be popular with existing loyalists (likely buyers).
How costly is has been, for them to ignore such helpful free advice.
I would suggest that AM were too far down the line well before the free advice was offered.
Still agree it’s been costly to AM but by how much we’ll never know.
Both McLaren and Gordon Murray involve potential buyers like Flemke way before any press releases.
cardigankid said:
soofsayer said:
Just had a dealer offer on email, for the db11 v8 coupe.
OTR £197k
Deposit contribution £55k
Holy moly, more than 25% off list.
What? The car lists at £145k or thereabouts. What on earth did you spec to get it to £197k?OTR £197k
Deposit contribution £55k
Holy moly, more than 25% off list.
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