Bugatti to go electric ?

[oilit]

Just seen this article -

https://news.sky.com/story/bugatti-sale-would-refl...

fascinating indication of the way the world is going with sports/supercars - a friend of mine in the US has just ordered a F8 Tributo but was mentioning the SF90 with 3 motors and a twin turbo - definitely a trend - let's hope the AM 6 cylinder hybrid and an electrification plan is not far away ...

[Jon39]

Interesting. Wonder if there might be any parallel with Ford in 2007?

Both are giant global vehicle manufacturers (VW production 10 million vehicles annually) they experiencei financial difficulties (VW now the world's most indebted company), and both decide to dispose of tiny sports car subsidiaries (Aston Martin 5,000 cars; Bugatti 100 cars).

Could this reinforce my point, about what would be the attraction to Daimler in owning Aston Martin?
Daimler sales of cars, vans, trucks and buses total 3.2 million vehicles annually. Add in Aston Martin and there would not be any noticeable difference in the sales numbers at all.

[oilit]

Jon39 said:

Interesting. Wonder if there might be any parallel with Ford in 2007?

Both are giant global vehicle manufacturers (VW production 10 million vehicles annually) they experiencei financial difficulties (VW now the world's most indebted company), and both decide to dispose of tiny sports car subsidiaries (Aston Martin 5,000 cars; Bugatti 100 cars).

Could this reinforce my point, about what would be the attraction to Daimler in owning Aston Martin?
Daimler sales of cars, vans, trucks and buses total 3.2 million vehicles annually. Add in Aston Martin and there would not be any noticeable difference in the sales numbers at all.

They definitely wouldn't be doing it to increase volume or amortise costs

It is interesting, I wonder why Investindustrial didn't merge the AM business with the Morgan Car company - which they now own. There must have been synergies as they call them...... and similarities in terms of position in the market....

Admit it would not have been pretty for employees or factories - but not sure it's much prettier now after the redundancies.

Aston Morgan anyone ......

[Dewi 2]

oilit said:

It is interesting, I wonder why Investindustrial didn't merge the AM business with the Morgan Car company - which they now own. There must have been synergies as they call them...... and similarities in terms of position in the market....

I think the ownership is just over 50%. Members of the Morgan family are still shareholders, but obviously control has changed.

Have you been on the Morgan factory tour, oilit?


Two very different companies, culture, customer expectations and profitability.
Morgan has made steady annual profits, perhaps through being the only car manufacturer which changes very little. Their (almost) unchanged car design was probably a handicap at one stage, but has now become unique, with no competitors. On the tour, one notices the purse strings are kept very tight regarding capital expenditure.

The Morgan version of Aston Martin's robot bonder.
This mechanisation was probably the equivalent of a 'state of art' robot in 1950, but as it still works, the approach appears to be, why spend money to replace.
The customers love it.




I am sure that a merger with Aston Martin, would certainly not be in Morgan's interest.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Friday 18th September 16:12

[WantSagaris]

Jon39 said:

Interesting. Wonder if there might be any parallel with Ford in 2007?

Both are giant global vehicle manufacturers (VW production 10 million vehicles annually) they experiencei financial difficulties (VW now the world's most indebted company), and both decide to dispose of tiny sports car subsidiaries (Aston Martin 5,000 cars; Bugatti 100 cars).

Could this reinforce my point, about what would be the attraction to Daimler in owning Aston Martin?
Daimler sales of cars, vans, trucks and buses total 3.2 million vehicles annually. Add in Aston Martin and there would not be any noticeable difference in the sales numbers at all.

It could also be an indication that these smaller companies will becoming bargaining chips. I read that VAG are willing to sell the likes of Lamborghini/Bentley although I can definitely see why Bentley is worth keeping.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of these companies go the same way as Volvo/Lotus and fall under Chinese ownership. Seems to have worked very well for Volvo/Polestar.