Showing posts with label rapide s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rapide s. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2015
Aston Martin gets a further £200 million investment for new products including the DBX luxury Crossover.
- Investindustrial and Tejara Capital led a further £200 million in investment capital in the form of preference shares
- Enables production of DBX luxury crossover, building on range of iconic luxury sports cars
- FY 2014 revenues of £468 million and adjusted EBITDA of £66 million announced
Aston Martin Lagonda today announced that with the leadership of its major shareholders, it has arranged additional committed funding of £200 million, enabling the 102-year old luxury sports car manufacturer to develop significant new luxury models that will drive the future of the company under its strategic business plan.
The additional capital investment comes in the form of £200 million of preference shares; £100 million of which were issued on 29 April 2015 with the remaining £100 million – already subscribed for – to be issued in the next twelve months, and will further expand the previously announced investment plan.
This major investment in new luxury models is at the core of Aston Martin’s strategic vision. Under the plan, the company will expand into the luxury GT crossover market with the introduction of a new vehicle based on the DBX concept shown at the recent Geneva and Shanghai motor shows.
With the addition of new model lines, the company’s strategy will help drive future growth, always ensuring that Aston Martin builds the world’s most beautiful cars that deliver true sporting ability with passion and refined luxury.
Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Dr Andy Palmer commented: “This additional long-term funding, will enable us to add extra model lines and broaden our presence in the luxury market segment by the end of the decade.
The DBX concept, has generated interest far beyond our expectations. The additional investment announced today will allow us to realise the DBX and other new luxury vehicles that will form the strongest and most diverse portfolio in our history.”
“Our shareholders have shown their strong commitment and confidence in the management team to execute the strategic plan,” continued Palmer.
Separately, Aston Martin Holdings (UK) Limited today announces results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2014.
In 2014 the company delivered full year revenues of £468 million and adjusted EBITDA of £66 million whilst simultaneously increasing its product development spend by 45%.
In 2015, the company expects global demand for its luxury sports cars to remain high, whilst it continues to develop and expand its current range starting with first customer deliveries of the limited edition track-only Aston Martin Vulcan and the race inspired, Vantage GT12.
Aston Martin mulls opening a new facility in the USA, near to Mercedes to cement their recent partnership.
Aston Martin is considering a U.S. factory in Alabama to be near its industrial partner Daimler, the British sports car maker's CEO Andy Palmer told a U.K. car magazine Autocar.
Aston has had expressions of interest for a new factory from U.S. states and from countries around the world, including the U.K., Palmer told Autocar.
"It is not decided yet but clearly with our arrangement with Daimler it would make sense to look closely at the possible synergies of working close to them in Alabama," he told the magazine.
Daimler builds Mercedes SUVs at the Vance, Alabama, factory. Daimler has a 5 percent stake in Aston as part of a deal to supply the UK company with high-performance engines and electronic architectures.
Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that Aston has held talks with officials in several U.S. states about a factory to build its first crossover, which would be based on the all-electric, all-wheel-drive DBX concept unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March.
The production DBX could be based on the new Mercedes GLC unveiled as a concept at the Shanghai auto show earlier this month, reports have said.
Aston aims to boost annual vehicle sales to 15,000 from 4,000 last year. The company has limited room for growth at its only factory in Gaydon in central England.
SHANGHAI 2015 - Aston Martin showcases the Lagonda Taraf and DBX Concept for the first time in China.
- Asia show debuts for DBX Concept and Lagonda Taraf
- Comprehensive product renewal and expansion ahead
- Aston Martin underlines commitment to the Chinese market
Luxury British car brand Aston Martin Lagonda is confidently looking to the future at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, with CEO Dr Andy Palmer leading the company into an exciting new era reaching far into the next decade.
For the first time in China the innovative DBX Concept and exclusive Lagonda Taraf were unveiled, spearheading Aston Martin’s display at the show.
The display of handcrafted luxury sports cars in Shanghai defines the way ahead for Aston Martin and its commitment to the market in China, with each model on display representing a distinctive and differentiated story for Chinese customers.
The DBX Concept signals a key change in vision as the brand embarks on a new chapter of change and growth.
“With its unique fusion of high luxury and advanced technology along with its day-to-day practicality, the DBX Concept is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about how the high luxury GT sector may evolve,” said Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin.
“It is our first all-electric, all-wheel drive car, showcasing the brand’s world-class engineering and design capabilities, and we believe this type of product will be particularly appealing to customers in China.”
Looking to the future: Aston Martin’s Second Century
Attending his first auto show in China as the new CEO of Aston Martin, Dr Andy Palmer outlined the new vision and direction for the brand.
The “Second Century” plan is a comprehensive strategy for the growth and development of the renowned British brand, and will ensure Aston Martin’s sustainability and success.
Significantly, Aston Martin will focus on delivering a new wave of products that are being developed under the largest investment plan in its 102 year history. By the end of the decade, every model in the current line-up will be replaced and up to three new models lines will be added.
“The Second Century plan not only delivers exciting and highly desirable new luxury sports cars in the traditional sense, but also embraces new powertrain technology.
I have challenged not only convention but also my team to investigate an electric version of the Rapide, a product which will undoubtedly be attractive for the China market.
Our relationships with leading Chinese companies such as Hanergy and now with Letv shows the potential to connect British craftsmanship with the very latest in Chinese technology,” added Dr Palmer.
The strategic plan also encompasses the brand’s intention to enter the luxury sedan market in China. Strictly limited to a global production run of just 200 super-saloons, the Lagonda Taraf follows in the wake of other bespoke special projects by Aston Martin such as the creation of the extreme Aston Martin Vulcan supercar, Vantage GT12, One-77, V12 Zagato and the CC100 Speedster Concept.
The luxurious new super saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting-edge engineering techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars, such as the extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.
Bespoke Brilliance
This year, the brand will expand its popular and growing bespoke personalisation service – Q by Aston Martin – and fully integrate it into the company’s Special Products Division. The new business unit is able to deliver anything from unique interiors to creating the DB10 that will feature in the next James Bond film, Spectre.
And it is this team that has created the new Lagonda Taraf. Q by Aston Martin takes bespoke automotive tailoring to the ultimate level, and has enabled the brand to create ultra-personalised luxury sports cars for an increasing number of Chinese customers.
Guests on the show stand were able to take a closer look at the wide array of options available through the Q by Aston Martin service. The Q by Aston Martin Rapide S on display, with its unique specification of a White Essence exterior and Saddle Leather interior, served to highlight the limitless personalisation possibilities through the service.
Commitment to China
While the DBX Concept highlights the future of luxury GT sports cars for the brand, the new 8-speed models on display at the Aston Martin stand – the Vanquish and Rapide S – are now available to order in China along with the exclusive Lagonda Taraf.
The latest versions of the Vanquish and Rapide S feature the new state-of-the-art ZF Touchtronic III 8-speed automatic transmission, and offer not only considerably enhanced performance and much-improved fuel economy and emissions, but also an even more honed, precise and responsive driving experience.
Improvements have been achieved in every major area of the cars’ performance and fuel economy, and both models are now capable of top speeds in excess of 320 km/h (200 mph).
Representing the brand’s sports-focused Vantage range on the Shanghai show stand is a V8 Vantage Coupe finished in luxurious Mariana Blue with a motorsport derived graphics pack. The V8 Vantage Coupe is available to order in China from 1.98m RMB alongside its exhilarating stable mate, the V12 Vantage S Coupe from 2.88m RMB.
“The China auto show debuts of the DBX Concept and Lagonda Taraf at Auto Shanghai 2015 are a clear signal that China is an increasingly significant market for Aston Martin,” said Mr. Michael Peng, President of Aston Martin China. “In the second century, we will continue to place a high importance on China and its growing number of discerning luxury sports car enthusiasts.
We have stable and long-term relationships with our China dealer partners who represent the brand in 15 key cities on the Mainland, and we will work with these partners to continue to deliver first-class services to our valued Chinese customers.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)