One of the most British brands of automobile in history may cease to be entirely British. The Financial Times is reporting that Aston Martin is nearing a decision that would have a builder outside the U.K. assemble the company's next model for the first time in history.
According to the Financial Times, the Aston Martin Rapide may be built by either Italian design and engineering firm Pinin-farina, Karmann group, based in Germany, Austria's Magna, and Magna of Finland. Magna builds the Boxster for Porsche. Aston Martin is considering bids from all four companies to assemble their new four-door saloon.
This decision by Aston Martin has been in the works for months, states the Financial Times. The thought process appears to have little to do with the sale of the luxury automaker by Ford to Kuwaiti investors.
Aston Martin, which turned 93-years-old this year, typically builds at their Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. However, with a surprising upturn over the last ten years in Aston Martin purchases, building at Gaydon is apparently at capacity.
The Aston Martin Rapide is expected for delivery in late 2009.
Aston Martin To Build Outside U.K.
Production of the Rapide may take place outside UK
By Zack Newmark
November 23, 2007 6:22 PM
Filed Under: Aston Martin, Corporate/Financial, European
Comments
moyusuf
November 23, 2007 7:35 PM
Jeremy Clarkson is going to be pissed.
joelynn
November 23, 2007 8:03 PM
The government poured money down the drain with Rover, which was always a failing company, so now it's got the opportunity to help a healthy, successful company create more UK jobs why doesn't it help Aston-Martin build another UK factory?
carcrazy1234
November 24, 2007 7:28 AM
hopefully those two wine bottles and wine classes dont break going around the top gear track if it happens to get on the show (which could happen) :P
elsonlau
November 24, 2007 8:34 AM
David Richards and the men behind the ownership of Aston Martin, wants to do a cost cutting program, after sold out by Ford. The needed a factory space for the Rapide. Its going to be the next Porsche as they did the Boxster, which it was built in Finland.
carolinaluvr101
November 24, 2007 9:20 PM
Astons need to be made in the UK! This is only being done so the owners get more money put into their pockets! Well, atleast they aren't so corrupt as to having it made in China...
F599GTB
November 25, 2007 7:20 AM
haha made in China..personally I really don't care; many mercedes, lexuses and other foreign brands assemble their cars in plants in the US and this Rapide or whatever they're making is bound to be a beast.
phobos
November 26, 2007 3:46 PM
rapide is one of the best looking car around,i hope they don't do something wrong, british car must have british soul
bmwaddict
November 27, 2007 1:32 PM
This car looks absolutely astonishing! I really hope the brand will succsesfully mount these financial problems. To bad, this British icon will be produced elsewhere but Britain.
shifty
November 27, 2007 5:22 PM
i totally agree with you bmwaddict, in fact Aston Martin is the only non-german or german-owned brand I really Admire!
carcrazy1234
December 12, 2007 12:42 AM
that thing is so long it can fit in a limo category... maybe its just a pic but damn it looks long DAMN nice looking car either way!
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