new Astons announced at Geneva
Discussion
Horts said:
Ever get the feeling that Aston Martin is becoming an extension of Ulrich Bez's ego? I really do feel money would be better spent on developing the main stream range more. Personally I think it is time we had some fresh blood at the helm.
Yep AM should be celebrating their achievements no pandering to his whims 
Spot on Horts and as ever Mr K,
With fresh investment comes new demands,new idea's and strategies from a new group of investors who'll be watching his every move.
Hopefully they'll all gel and unite to enhance the company's profile whilst moving forward in a positive and productive manner, but I'm sure
some up and coming Gordon Gekko type will have his card marked as a potential target for his own future gain......I personally hope not.
But may be its time to drop any thoughts of possible Ego trips and give up the Segway before we have a split decision or Wenger job on our hands.
Yes he's done I'm sure in most peoples eyes a stirling job but new investors bring new brooms and they often sweep clean I believe.
Do we really want or need new blood at the helm or just continued focus on the future as we know it....Jim.
With fresh investment comes new demands,new idea's and strategies from a new group of investors who'll be watching his every move.
Hopefully they'll all gel and unite to enhance the company's profile whilst moving forward in a positive and productive manner, but I'm sure
some up and coming Gordon Gekko type will have his card marked as a potential target for his own future gain......I personally hope not.
But may be its time to drop any thoughts of possible Ego trips and give up the Segway before we have a split decision or Wenger job on our hands.
Yes he's done I'm sure in most peoples eyes a stirling job but new investors bring new brooms and they often sweep clean I believe.
Do we really want or need new blood at the helm or just continued focus on the future as we know it....Jim.
Edited by Ed50 on Tuesday 5th March 18:35
Ed50 said:
Spot on Horts and as ever Mr K,
Do we really want or need new blood at the helm or just continued focus on the future as we know it....Jim.
Agreed, don't get me wrong, he was the right man in the Ford era and should take massive credit for developing AML post the Ford divestment. But in my experience a good CEO normally has a shelf life of 36-60 months. He has many achievements under his belt during his tenure, but for me it is definitely time for him to step aside and allow someone new to build on Dr Bez's legacy.Do we really want or need new blood at the helm or just continued focus on the future as we know it....Jim.
Edited by Ed50 on Tuesday 5th March 18:35
But, guys, there are people out there willing to buy these cars, so why shouldn't they? It is bespoke, it is rare, and it doesn't carry the cost associated with redesigning the mainstream range, which I have no doubt, is happening.
Also, whatever else one can say about Ulrich Bez, he is positive and he is providing leadership.
Also, whatever else one can say about Ulrich Bez, he is positive and he is providing leadership.
I think we have to wait til pebble beach in August to see what is launched there before we can come to any concrete conclusions about future direction
They say they will be concepts but also that they will be OTR by the end of 2013 - sounds like they will actually be showing production cars which makes sense as aston rarely show concepts and in fact even cars like vanquish and zags to were first announced as 'concepts' when in fact they were nigh on production spec
One assumes that vanquish volante will be one of the cars and the other who knows, though replacement vantage would be logical best bet
Rapide on hydrogen is no bad thing for aston to be showcasing btw, albeit it's many years away
I have no problem with this cc1oo idea which I assume will be a little like the Stirling moss edition of the slr. Aston can't begin to compete with the latest hypercars being launched by Ferrari and mclaren so stick to what you are good at. Low volume runs of very expensive ultra exclusive wacky cars are a great way to generate interest in the brand and profit - there is a definite market for these vehicles - look at the Lamborghini J and veneno.
The only problem with zag was they needed to up the performance or drop the price but it could have worked brilliantly - as it is, I believe only 40or so will be made in total. But projects along those lines are IMO no bad thing
Having said that, disappointed to see yet another relaunch of their personalisation dept with cars that you would struggle to ever have made as a customer. I can only suspect that as the majority of the wider car public don't realise the way it works in the real world, aston see it as being good for their image. Relity of course is that if you just ask for say blue carbon fibre outside the context of a 500k project, you won't get very far........
They say they will be concepts but also that they will be OTR by the end of 2013 - sounds like they will actually be showing production cars which makes sense as aston rarely show concepts and in fact even cars like vanquish and zags to were first announced as 'concepts' when in fact they were nigh on production spec
One assumes that vanquish volante will be one of the cars and the other who knows, though replacement vantage would be logical best bet
Rapide on hydrogen is no bad thing for aston to be showcasing btw, albeit it's many years away
I have no problem with this cc1oo idea which I assume will be a little like the Stirling moss edition of the slr. Aston can't begin to compete with the latest hypercars being launched by Ferrari and mclaren so stick to what you are good at. Low volume runs of very expensive ultra exclusive wacky cars are a great way to generate interest in the brand and profit - there is a definite market for these vehicles - look at the Lamborghini J and veneno.
The only problem with zag was they needed to up the performance or drop the price but it could have worked brilliantly - as it is, I believe only 40or so will be made in total. But projects along those lines are IMO no bad thing
Having said that, disappointed to see yet another relaunch of their personalisation dept with cars that you would struggle to ever have made as a customer. I can only suspect that as the majority of the wider car public don't realise the way it works in the real world, aston see it as being good for their image. Relity of course is that if you just ask for say blue carbon fibre outside the context of a 500k project, you won't get very far........
mikey k said:
Horts said:
Ever get the feeling that Aston Martin is becoming an extension of Ulrich Bez's ego? I really do feel money would be better spent on developing the main stream range more. Personally I think it is time we had some fresh blood at the helm.
Yep AM should be celebrating their achievements no pandering to his whims Though of course the new tech tie up that has the potential to move things on in a big way is unlikely to be seen having s big impact for at least a yr or two
I have to say, now the weather is getting a bit better and I've been able to take the car out for some proper weekend thrashes, it's reminded me why I love the cars so much - I don't think there are enough of us who buy the cars for those reasons however (charisma, fun, noise) to keep the brand alive as for a wider market they need better journo support, clearer philosophy and more competitive cars on paper (dr bez in his announcements suggested they have class leading cars on paper - is he delusional ?)
I like the idea of the CC100, wouldn't want one but it is new.
Also the hydrogen dual fuel thing, yeah it's just PR BS, but Aston shouldn't/couldn't get into the hypercar hybrid game with Ferrari and Porsche, but have to look like they're trying to be "green", so it's probably a good thing.
Also, going in a motorsports direction is preferable (to me) to chasing the rapide market more and turning into Bentley or Maserati. At the moment Aston walks a nice line between sporty and GTish. More the latter, but I'm not a balls-out racer.
I'm unsure if they can keep the styling looking good, and fresh every new car seems to be a small step down from the original V8V and DB9 looks
- Steve
Also the hydrogen dual fuel thing, yeah it's just PR BS, but Aston shouldn't/couldn't get into the hypercar hybrid game with Ferrari and Porsche, but have to look like they're trying to be "green", so it's probably a good thing.
Also, going in a motorsports direction is preferable (to me) to chasing the rapide market more and turning into Bentley or Maserati. At the moment Aston walks a nice line between sporty and GTish. More the latter, but I'm not a balls-out racer.
I'm unsure if they can keep the styling looking good, and fresh every new car seems to be a small step down from the original V8V and DB9 looks
- Steve
mikey k said:
Can't help feeling they would have got more impact holding the 1-77 off until the 100th year.
They are getting little or no exposure from Geneva
Yep - since when did the Geneva motor show become about 'announcing' new cars? It's about 'showing' them in their centenary year!!They are getting little or no exposure from Geneva
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