[Interview] Aston Martin CEO New Chairman/Priority, and future luxury sports cars studying business models

CEO Andy Palmer, interview

Last month, when the Aston Martin V12 Speedster was announced, a new investor and chairman Lawrence Stroll stood in the center of the stage.

He talked to the company's CEO Andy Palmer, who said that stroll expertise and funds would bring good luck to Aston.

Learn the business model of a luxury sports car

―― Lawrence Stroll says that it will reduce inventory and reorganize the company.What kind of effect do you think?

"Lawrence has been involved in importing Ferrari in Canada for a long time and understands the Ferrari model very well."

"In the future, we want to reduce the number of sports car production and make all sports cars with high profitability. The number of wholesalers of sports cars last year was 5,800 units, but 2020 was 2020.It will be less than that. "

――Can you tell me the specific numbers?

"Unfortunately it is impossible. You need to wait patiently until the stock is gone."

"It's time for us to change. It's time to learn the business model of a luxury sports car and succeed."

"You will have to decide the specifications by the customer and wait until it is completed. DBX has already expressed its future image. In 2020, many retail orders are included."

――What will your relationship with Red Bull will be in the future?

"Red Bull is a great friend, and its contribution is very valuable. Aston will continue to be the F1 title sponsor this year."

"Even after the announcement of Valkyrie at the end of the year, the cooperation with Red Bull Technologies will continue."

"In addition, we will build a new relationship with the F1 team, which is currently known as a racing point. It will be up to us to take advantage of that relationship."

Priority of mid -engine models

――In the electrification plan of Rapida E and Lagonda, why?

"The plan has been shelved, but it has never disappeared. I learned a lot from the development of Rapido E. The experience and knowledge are accumulated. The necessary capital investment has also been revealed."

"Because there was a difficult time, it is necessary to decide new priority."

――What are that priority specifically?

"This year's Valkyrie, 2022 Valhalla, and 2023 Vanquish can be said to be the priority."

"By the mid -2020s to respond to exhaust regulations, 3.0L V6 hybrids and plug -in powertrains must be introduced in the entire lineup. "

"However, we do not cancel the Lagonda project. I hope that it will be revived again as a priority after 2024."

――I don't seem to be selling vantes, why?Is there a countermeasure?

"In fact, this model has a larger market share than the prediction, but the entire market is shrinking."

"In addition, it is partly because there is no roadster settings that are expected to account for about 40 % of the overall demand."

"There is certainly demand for manual gearboxes currently provided, but some customers seem to prefer traditional ones than current model grills. As a countermeasure, many people want a lease contract.We started providing. "

Image Aston Martin DBX, V12 Speedster, Valkyrie [Latest Model Comparison] All 60 sheets