Daimler-Aston Martin? Daimler Reportedly Eyeing Complete Takeover of Aston Martin

Since being sold off by Ford in 2007, Aston Martin has been a company in the wilderness. That started to change late last year when a technical partnership with Mercedes-Benz AMG was entered to build the next generation of Aston V8 engines. Now rumors are beginning to swirl that this partnership could progress to a full-blown takeover of Aston Martin by Mercedes parent company Daimler.

Daimler AG Chairman Dieter Zetsche kept things vague when Autocar quoted him on the topic. "This is a fantastic brand, and we are willing to support its further development."

We reached out to Aston Martin's Matthew Clarke who stated, "We have a technical partnership with Daimler AG and nothing else." He went on to reiterate the terms of the partnership, which included Daimler receiving a five percent stake of non-voting shares in Aston Martin.

So, what would a potential buyout look like? There's little doubt Aston has been in a bit of a product lull lately. New engines and R&D cash are needed, both of which Daimler can provide. Aston Martin's current Kuwaiti owners, Adeem Investment and Investment Dar, could make a sizable profit from the sale, and it would give Mercedes its own upscale British proxy brand to go up against Bentley and Rolls Royce.
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MattDarringer - 3/20/2014 10:18:48 PM

0 Boost

Bye bye Aston Martin. It was nice knowing you. Sorry the Grim Reaper--oops Mercedes--has come for you. Mercedes is a terrible partner and an ever worse owner.

mre30 - 3/21/2014 12:08:23 PM

+1 Boost

A takeover of Aston by MB will make Russia's take-over of the Crimea look like puppy-adoption day at the local animal shelter.