32 Votes

Mercedes Benz May Replace McLaren With Aston Martin

Agent009 submitted on 4/4/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:30:32 PM

43 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.autocar.co.uk

Unconfirmed reports from well-placed sources in Germany suggest that Mercedes Benz is looking to buy a substantial stake in Aston Martin.

Rumours of a potential tie-up between the two premium marques originally emerged from Kuwait in February. Adham Charonoglu, of Aston’s Kuwaiti majority shareholder DAR, suggested that Aston and Mercedes could collaborate on a range of ventures, from engine supply to entirely new models.

It now seems that Mercedes-Benz is taking a much more serious interest. And there is a business link; the Kuwaiti Investment Authority hold a seven per cent stake in Daimler AG.

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User Comments

Gasp! Why?!?! No! McLaren and Mercedes is like Ham and Cheese!
— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 3:49:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

But Merc and Aston could be peanut butter and jelly.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 4:24:01 PM | | Votes: 9

i think that would be a good match up
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 4:29:44 PM | | Votes: 8

I like peanut butter and jelly!
— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 4:35:40 PM | | Votes: 7

me too!
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 6:49:08 PM | | Votes: 7

Agreed,

Aston Martin is the ultimate "Gentlemans Car"
— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 8:26:14 PM | | Votes: 6

i like the natural peanut butter with raspberry preserves on wheat.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 9:15:17 PM | | Votes: 2

and a tall glass of ice cold whole milk.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 9:15:42 PM | | Votes: 1

You guys should try a ham and honey sandwich.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 10:41:06 PM | | Votes: 0

1995e34... that sounds like the perfect sandwich. I might try it today.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 1:04:59 PM | | Votes: 1

Wow this is like a dream come true (for Aston Martin at least). Aston Martin can finally go after Ferrari and Bentley and lamborghini at the same time. I would rather drive the Aston Martin 4 door coupe engineered by Mercedes than the Bentley Continental 4 door engineered by VW. I guess with Maybach not doing well and Mclaren giving them stress, Aston Martin will be a better bet. I hope the news is true.
— BFABS (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 4:36:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

i would rather drive the aston designed by mickey mouse than the bentley.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 11:00:23 PM | | Votes: -4

You know the Bentley Continental GT Speed beat the Aston DBS in a British comparison test?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 1:05:31 PM | | Votes: 0

No, I didn't, S4. Is that comparison available on the Internet?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 12:58:33 PM | | Votes: 0

It isn't on the site yet. Buy CAR magazine at Borders, I recommend it.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:53:55 PM | | Votes: 0

LOL...
gimme a minute...
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, okay, okay...
another minute...
— gooch (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 5:06:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Thanks -- that was the best joke I've heard or read all day. I'm still laughing.
— gooch (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 5:07:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

...
— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 5:13:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

gobama should share his grape kool-aide with the rest of us
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 6:46:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

so do you think aston martin makes great cars?
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 6:51:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

They should require an IQ test before allowing people to post messages on the Internet.

The better investment for Lexus would seriously be paying guys like this to stop posting.

For this guy in particular, Obama may want to consider it as well.
— FULEXUS (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 8:00:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

your an idiot period.
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 8:46:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Go0bama, Lexus can't afford to buy Mercedes; besides, Lexus will go under before Mercedes gets into such financial trouble that they have to sell to Lexus.
— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 10:45:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

this site should be screening those being actually allowed to write on this forum...

wow...
— aussiecarnut (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 3:30:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Well on one hand it makes more sense to buy into Aston than spend the money it would take to get Maybach on track product wise..on the other hand...why can't Mercedes focus on making Mercedes truely premium like it used to be...they keep doing things to set their own brand up as being inferrior.
— Occarnut (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 6:06:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

You do have a point, occarnut. Daimler keeps on trying to take Mercedes downmarket with cars even smaller and cheaper than the C-class. Why don't they go upmarket by abandoning the Maybach venture, building a state-of-the-art Mercedes-branded superluxury car (like a modern-day Mercedes 600), and building a supercar under the Mercedes nameplate? Remember the classic SS & SSK models of the 1920s, and the 540K of the late 1930s? Mercedes-Benz could be the equivalent of a German Duesenberg.

As for the mass market, they will probably have to either buy another company (is Ford willing to sell its Mazda interest?) or develop a completely new mass-market brand. If Toyota can develop an upscale brand, why can't Daimler develop a mass-market one?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:48:55 PM | | Votes: -1

Good point, but for Mercedes' sake, it would most likely be a horrible proposition to have another, mass-market brand. It's too damn competitive and the profit margins are too low.

Would I like to see another brand, a mass-market brand by Daimler? Sure I would. Do I think Merc would do it...no. They just got rid of Chrysler, they still have the bad taste in their mouths.

As for Aston...I wish they bought Aston from Ford. Seriously, brands like Bentley, Rolls, Aston, etc cannot survive without the backing of a major OEM. The state of technology and everything in general (regulations, fuel economy, etc) requires the muscle of one of the big boys.

The Kuwaitis should be running to Mercedes with a sweatheart deal.
— neutral (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 8:40:59 PM | | Votes: 1

Wow....! this is really awesome if MB and Aston Martin decide to do this. Imagine an Aston Martin with a MB Powerful engine?

Benz + Aston Martin = Super Sexy Outrageously Fast Super Sportcars

Lexus
— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 4/4/2008 9:05:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

The thought of Merc + Aston.... too much for me to handle.

First though... Merc needs to direct inject ALL of their gasoline engines. Then share things with Aston...

Could anyone imagine a high-performance Mercedes diesel in an Aston? (sorry Im a diesel fan)
— neutral (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 8:44:25 PM | | Votes: 1

Aston Martin will do better on their own.

This is a desperate attempt by Mercedes to appear cool again!
— ubercool (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 3:50:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

to be cool again?? your an idiot........
— simmonsdp (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 9:01:33 AM | | Votes: 1

This would be amazing, but the one problem I see is what about the V8 Vantage vs. SL550/SL63 AMG? The SL63 is arguably a better car, for the same price (it DOES have 100 more horsepower).
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 1:07:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Power is not everything. V8 Vantage looks times better than the new refreshed SL. It's also got a better looking interior.

and also anyone who needs more power, can buy the upcoming sports variants of V8 Vantage, like V8 Vantage N400 and V12 Vantage RS.

JUGNU

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 7:20:39 AM | | Votes: 1

I didn't say it was. All I said was, they compete.

By the way... haven't you argued the exact opposite thing before? You've always complained that Aston Martins should have more power, and then I have to tell you that the company isn't about 0-60 times, they're about the overall experience.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:54:57 PM | | Votes: -1

What about F1, will be McLaren Mercedes Team separated than the company? they are doing really well ..

But MB + Aston Martin .. Magnificent !
— alsarea3 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 2:06:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

It will be a good tie up because Aston Martin will have option of some of the best engines in the world, i don't like MB, but their engines are just fabulous. But MB will not sever the tie with Mclaren in racing because they hold a stake of about 40 percent or so in the Mclaren racing division, and considering that Mclaren is probably the finest racing company after Ferrari(i don't like Ferrari and am vying for Lewis Hamilton, somehow the Ferrari boys kimi and Messa pulled it back in Malaysian GP, but we'll see), MB will certainly keep the bond in the F1, but probably in the form of production vehicle, like SLR Mclaren, it has been quite a failure, and it will better serve Mclaren and MB to produce their cars by thier own divisions. And Really in front of Mclaren, Aston Martin is nothing.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 4:30:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Mercedes should buy ToyLex and build shopping carts.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 5:34:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

not toyLex. get it right..its Lexayota LOL.
— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/5/2008 10:05:25 PM | | Votes: -1

EL34,,,,that's the job for the Italians.....
— simmonsdp (View Profile)

Posted on 4/8/2008 9:04:16 AM | | Votes: 0

Aston Martin & Mercedes-Benz = a very good thing.

Daimler Martin vs Daimler Chrysler... is there really a question here which would be the better formula?

Mercedes and Aston could make even better cars together. Prestige with powerful engines. Winner for Aston most definitely.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 8:27:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Yeah, I am over here in Germany working for the DOD and heard the news last week,wow, what a marriage that would be, pretty cool....But Aston wont be replacing McLaren.......
— simmonsdp (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 12:39:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Such a deal would be a godsend for Aston Martin, and provide Daimler with a replacement for McLaren. One sad note - such an acquisition would mean that there are no British car companies that are owned by Britons.

Oh, I just thought of something. Is Morgan still British-owned?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/6/2008 1:02:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

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Mercedes Benz May Replace McLaren With Aston Martin

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