BMW said yesterday it has no interest in acquiring Aston Martin from Ford. Although the German automaker never emerged as a potential buyer, there has been a great deal of speculation among enthusiasts that BMW would be a desirable candidate.
“We are a focused company and we want to stay a focused company. We’re not interested,” BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said during a conference call with analysts.
Ford bought a controlling share of Aston in 1987, and fully acquired the company in 1994. Since then, it succeeded in revitalizing the company’s product line, leading to the marquee’s first profit in 40 years for 2005. In late August, Ford announced it intended to sell the company in order to raise capital.
New car price quote
Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
11/03, 11:02 AM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
I offer the 140 bucks I have in my chequeing account.
And I promise to not screw it up any worse than the last 3 owners…
11/03, 11:37 AM
posted by:
Fatstrat
Wow, $140 and it’s friday. Sounds like it’s going to be a quiet weekend for you.
Maybe now BMW can get around to replacing more of the boxer twins in their motorcycle lineup. I don’t know exactly how old they are but I am pretty sure Moses had one.
11/03, 11:38 AM
posted by:
British_Rover
Hell it is making a profit for the first time in 40 years I wouldn’t say they screwed up on it.
11/03, 11:50 AM
posted by:
BAMF
Yeah they definately didn’t screw up… Those are some faaast and beautiful cars.
11/03, 12:32 PM
posted by:
Renton
As far as I’m concerned, Aston has been dead for years. Too much Ford (Jag) DNA.
11/03, 2:23 PM
posted by:
Robert
Ford has done a great job with Aston. Where they’ve failed with Jag, they’ve succeeded with Aston. Performance, design, quality, everyting.
And how did they do it? They let Aston’s team develop products, set the direction, and Ford provided the business support as needed, financials, technology, etc.
Why, oh why, couldn’t they have taken a more hands-off approach to product at Jaguar instead of getting on their 250k-300k units of sale, which ultimately damaged the brand?!
11/03, 2:44 PM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac...
Imagine what BMW could do with Aston… Could’ve been very interesting.
BMW engineering with Aston style is a garaunteed winner.
11/03, 3:31 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah really, Ford has done an amazing job with Aston Martin. Their cars are perfect, no screwups at all. They just need the capital cause of all there other screwups.
11/03, 4:13 PM
posted by:
anonymous
imagine a car with bmw engineering and aston martin look..
11/03, 6:38 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
The $140 line came from some film I saw years ago…I have kids, so there is no money in my account!
As to screwing up things…a little harsh, perhaps. But, I had a chance to drive a couple AMs over the last few years, as I have a boss and friend who has had a serious addiction to British metal. AMs still come across as the best Garage Manufacturer on the Isle. A very nice car but with cheap bits typical of a small maker rummaging the parts bin of a major automaker. AMs are sweet to look at in the car mags but the bits are very kit-car.
11/03, 9:25 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
Jags are not badly engineered or designed but they do need a new direction. Jag has the problem now that Caddy had back in the 80s there 90s. There customer base is dying off right in front of them.
11/05, 11:50 AM
posted by:
thegoldenmackid
it doesnt matter how good or bad of a job ford has done w/ aston….
imagine if ford bought rolls royce?-u cant xpect to by the highest-end british sports car thats made by an american company….
jst as americans dont wanna by japanese cars (look at toyota entering nascar)….
11/06, 9:14 PM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
Bummer, BMW seemed the right owners even though they almost compete with each other