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ReprintsReport: Aston Martin to build outside the UK
Automotive News Europe
November 22, 2007 13:33 CET
Aston Martin may build its new Rapide outside the UK, the Financial Times reported today. Documents relating to a bid by one potential partner show it is one of several specialist independent car manufacturing and design groups in Europe that have been approached to build the new model due in late 2009. A person close to one of the potential partners said Aston Martin had indicated it was likely to choose the successful bidder in the next few weeks. Bidders include Pininfarina, the Italian design and engineering house; Germany's Karmann group; Magna Steyr of Austria; and Valmet, the Finnish group, which makes the Boxster for Porsche. The proposals received by the potential partners also indicate that sales targets for the Rapide are far higher than the company has publicly suggested. Aston Martin is now in its third year of profitability after nine decades in which it made only losses under a succession of owners. The company built and sold 7,000 cars last year. Executives at Aston Martin declined comment on the project. |
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