Aston Martin acquired by Louis Vuitton?

[go.pawel]

That's a bit unexpected. Apparently the auction organised by Ford to sell Aston Martin has been won by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. You know, leather purses and expensive cognacs
Nothing has yet been confirmed by Ford, but the rumour is Ford sold 85% of Aston for over $1 billion. I'm waiting for the official press release.
As for LVMH, they certainly have cash (2,7 billion euros of profit in 2005) , so financially AML should be secure. And the remaining 15% that Ford kept should mean that they want to retain the technological ties. Which makes sense since all the current models are based on Ford's technology. So maybe the outcome of this transaction won't be that bad after all. I hope so.

[jorismo]

Wow, talking about a unexpected outcome...

But as you mentioned, it could very well be a good thing for Aston Martin.

[Ferrer]

Well expensive champagne, expensive suitcases and expensive cars. I'm sure they'll understand what Aston Martin is about. I think this will be good for Aston Martin.

Regarding Ford technology, yes some Aston Martin bits are based on Ford technology, but all Aston Martin mechanical parts are exclusive to them. Perhaps the most unexclusive part is the V8 engine, but even that is different enough to allow Aston Martin on its own with no problems.

[SPHFerrari]

i just hope we dont see Astons with LV print interiors. yuck.

[Street_Dreamer]

i read about Louis Vuitton as a pssible buyer of the Aston Martin brand, so it's not the biggest shock ever, it must be said. But i really do hope they don't screw up their cars with their LV prints, as SPH said, coz that would be tacky. Good luck to LV and Aston

[sjoerd9718]

I agrre with that let LV just make sure Aston Martin is being kept for the world by investing in it and not make the mistake of meddling with the cars itself.

[Matra et Alpine]

LV fitted luggage has always been avilable for the best Astons.
Got a pic somewhere at our hillclimb with the owner having his picnic off his LV picnic basket before doing the hill !!!!!
Problem is will they go for the rich socialite or the dedicated driver???

[Piacki_117]

Aston to the French... Funny.

[The_Canuck]

Aston to the French... Funny.

lol either that or the Americans

I hope Aston benefits from this...

[Cyco]

That will change what they pour at AM Sydney functions

It is quite possibly a good choice, but until specifics are know it will be hard to comment further.

The main reasons for Ford still holding a stake are the engines for all bar the Vanquish are coming from the AM part of Ford engine plant in Cologne (Vanq's get theirs from Cosworth), and that the cost of developing future models is much reduced if you have access to the crash simulation super-computers and testing resources that the big companies have.

[Kitdy]

i just hope we dont see Astons with LV print interiors. yuck.

I am scared that LV could do even a single thing to meddle with Aston Martin. Let them do what they do best, make sweet cars, and just take some profit from them and give them cash when they need it. Do not do any more than that.

[Piacki_117]

lol either that or the Americans

At least it is now owned by the world's leader luxury goods company. While Ford...

[NSXType-R]

Well at least they're in good hands.

[fisetdavid26]

Say, what Chanel is waiting for to buy their car manufacturer? Seriously, I think that's good news. I only hope as some of you do they won't make horrible looking interiors.

[my porsche]

Yuck, LV is so tacky. I hope they only own it and let AM run itself.