Aston Martin is in talks with Daimler over a potential plan that would see the British luxury carmaker design and build the German company’s Maybach brand, according to a report in the Financial Times.
According to the FT, the partnership would see Aston Martin take engine technology from Daimler in exchange for building cars. It is thought that Daimler’s four-wheel-drive technology could be particularly useful to the British company, as it is considering making an off-road vehicle.
Aston Martin could also stand to benefit from Daimler’s portfolio of fuel-efficient diesel and petrol engines.
Maybachs sell for around €300,000 each, but sales have been slowing, with a mere 200 selling in 2009—a third fewer than in 2008. Aston Martin is planning to sell 5,500 to 6,000 cars this year.
It is thought that if Aston Martin were to develop a new Maybach model, it would be significantly cheaper for Daimler than to do so itself in-house. Aston Martin specialises in small volume production.
Daimler is said to have already commissioned a mock-up of the new car, which could feature at the Frankfurt Car Show in 2011.
Daimler and Aston Martin have so far declined to comment on specific talks.
