Rapide Aston Martin calls on Volvo for new Rapide

[Zafiro]

Aston Martin will rely on Volvo to develop safety systems for its upcoming Rapide sedan, and we’re likely to see more Ford engineers playing a bigger role in designing Aston’s future models. The Blue Oval still retains a £40 million stake in the luxury brand, including ownership of the engine factory in Köln where Aston Martin sources its V8 and V12 engines. According to Sweden’s AutoMotor&Sport, Aston will also benefit from Ford’s advantage in procuring raw materials at discount, especially for aluminum.

Aston CEO Ulrich Bez confirmed that Volvo’s knowledge and resources on safety features would be utilized by his company, just as it was used for the DB9 and V8 Vantage. Experts from Volvo are helping to develop the stiff aluminum structure of the Rapide, including designing the B-pillar and side-members to optimise occupant safety during side impact collisions.

Now the rush is on to launch the Rapide sports sedan ahead of rival Porsche’s four-door Panamera. The proposed launch date for the new model is in late 2008 and it could potentially add another 1,000 to 2,000 units on top of the niche sports carmaker’s current production levels.

 

[SDNR]

This is wise I guess ...taking full advantage of your 'family' connections -- I mean they could hardly consult DaimlerChrysler (for example) for help when they are competing against them.

 

[Mr. M]

As much as I would like to see AM separate itself from Ford and Co. as much as possible, it seems like it's not gonna happen.

What does Prodrive have to offer AM, anyway?

 

[EnI]

As much as I would like to see AM separate itself from Ford and Co. as much as possible, it seems like it's not gonna happen.

What does Prodrive have to offer AM, anyway?

It was not Prodrive who bought AM!!!

It was a consortium of 4. D. Richards is just on of the consortium members, and is involved strictly on personally basis, not via Prodrive!



Technically AM still depends on Ford Group a lot - that's also why Ford retain a stake in AM: to remain an exclusive technical / development parter, and to secure itself a right of first refusal.

 

[Mr. M]

It was not Prodrive who bought AM!!!

It was a consortium of 4. D. Richards is just on of the consortium members, and is involved strictly on personally basis, not via Prodrive!



Technically AM still depends on Ford Group a lot - that's also why Ford retain a stake in AM: to remain an exclusive technical / development parter, and to secure itself a right of first refusal.

Oh yes. It's easy to forget about that, because we would so much love AM to have another technical assistant.

 

[EnI]

Oh yes. It's easy to forget about that, because we would so much love AM to have another technical assistant.

True.

That's why this AM deal is a farce. Basically some very crucial areas will remain under Ford's control: purchasing / supplying & development involvement. Otherwise - financially AM has already been quite independent from Ford - keeping profit for its own needs.

AM only virtually became independent from Ford - while de facto Ford is still very much involved in AM.

And not to mention the right of first refusal - meaning Ford can buy AM back sometimes in the distant future.

That's why a like to say Ford has leased AM to the Consortium.

 

[Merc1]

This really isn't anything new sorta speak, Volvo has been the safety engineering for Ford Empire vehicles for a few years now. And of course those Fords that are based on various Volvo chassis/designs have the safety DNA already present.

ENI - I guess this sort of deal is why BMW said hell to the no!

M

 

[EnI]

ENI - I guess this sort of deal is why BMW said hell to the no!

M

Exactly.

Such a deal repealed all the automotive industry, not BMW AG only.
In normal circumstances automotive world would fight hard to get a brand such as AM.

 

[Merc1]

Exactly.

Such a deal repealed all the automotive industry, not BMW AG only.
In normal circumstances automotive world would fight hard to get a brand such as AM.

Yeah I wondering why all the major players didn't jump at the chance. Now I know why.

M