Aston Martin ’s upcoming Rapide could be built outside of the UK, a new report finds. The British automaker has reportedly approached several independent car manufacturing and design groups to produce the Rapide — which is scheduled to bow in late 2009.
A source familiar with the situation indicated that a decision could be made within the next few weeks. Current bidders include Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna Steyr of Austria and Valmet, the company that makes the Porsche Boxster .
The proposal received by bidders also revealed that Aston Martin is planning to produce more Rapides than originally predicted. Aston Martin is in its third consecutive year of profitability and sold 7,000 vehicles last year.
