Aston Martin has reportedly secured US$165m in funding to develop a new range of cars, a move considered positive for a company that has lost market share in recent times.
The carmaker will likely use the investment to develop a luxury SUV, the Birmingham Post reported, citing industry insiders.
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The rumoured SUV move could be Aston Martin’s attempt to tap the expanding segment, especially in emerging markets. There is also the chance of a platform sharing deal between Aston Martin and Daimler, as Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has hinted.
Zetsche recently touched on the idea of extending the engine and electrical architecture partnership deal between the two automakers. His comments led to speculations of platform sharing for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GL model and the planned Aston Martin Lagonda SUV, according to the Birmingham Post.
Aston Martin could save a lot of development expense if it develops an SUV through a platform sharing deal. Such a move could also speed development of the vehicle. The British carmaker may use Daimler’s new platform – dubbed the ‘modular sports car architecture’ – developed for future Mercedes SL and SLK models set to be launched in 2019 and 2020.
