Daimler recently sealed a technical agreement with Aston Martin that will see Mercedes’ AMG division develop, test and build the potent V8 engine that will power the next-gen Vantage sports car. Additionally, Aston Martin is said to be mulling the launch of a range-topping SUV that will share its basic underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
Purchasing Aston Martin from would help expand the technical collaboration by streamlining the process of jointly-developing new platforms that will underpin future Aston- and AMG-badged cars. Aston Martin could also take advantage of Mercedes’ well-developed global dealer network to increase its presence in key markets around the globe, although Daimler has previously made it clear that an Aston Martin with an AMG badge is out of the question for the time being.
A second report speculates Daimler could purchase Aston Martin to return to the top end of the luxury segment that it abandoned when it axed Maybach. If that theory proves true, the rumored GL-based SUV would likely be the first of several premium, passenger-focused products designed to compete against prestigious brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
“This is a fantastic brand, and we are willing to support its further development,” said Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche in an interview with British magazine Autocar.
Aston Martin has not commented on the rumor.
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