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Aston Martin to collaborate with Mercedes
By Yoann Besnard on 8 February 2008 | 
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Aston Martin and Mercedes might collaborate to develop new models and new engines. The car maker might even go into the wild by selling branded merchandising.
In an interview with Automotive News, Adham Charanoglu, business development manager for Investment Dar, which is a shareholder of the British car maker said the company has entered into talks with Mercedes and with LVMH’s Louis Vuitton and PPR’s Gucci.
Joining forces with Mercedes is a good news for Aston Martin as the German car maker proved its ability to design and build expensive cars, and sell branded merchandising. Anyway, Charanoglu has set an ambitious plan to increase the company’s sales from £50 million in 2006 to £150 million next year. Aston Martin will increase its production from 7,000 last year to 8,000 this year. He also confirmed indirectly that the future Rapide won’t be built in the UK. "Whatever has been produced in the UK will continue to be produced in the UK," said Charanoglu.
Charanoglu wants the company to focus on emerging markets such as China, Russia but also in the Middle East. With almost 20% of the Bugatti production only in Dubai, it is certain that Aston Martin can perform well there. Russia already has an Aston Martin dealership, but will get another this year, and China recently opened its first dealership.