Aston Martin sales UP in 2013 – new platform being developed

Aston Martin saw sales rise in 2013 to around 4,200 cars – a rise of 11 per cent – and Aston Martin are embarking on the biggest investment programme in their history.

Aston Martin has revealed its results for 2013 – its centenary year – which show the coolest car brand on the planet managed to increase sales by 11 per cent – to around 4,200 cars – and revenue to £519 million, an increase of 13 per cent over 2012.

Aston Martin’s earnings before EBITDA (that’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) were up a strong 22 per cent to £84.8 million, demonstrating strong operating profitability, although actual earnings were marginal.

But Aston Martin are bullish about the performance, and equally bullish about the future.

With the recent tie-in with Mercedes AMG for engines and electronic architecture, Aston Martin now has a viable route to update their ageing engine range, and it seems last year’s investment by Investindustrial has encouraged Aston Martin to finally start work on a replacement for the (very old, but oft updated) VH platform.

Hanno Kirner, AM’s CFO, said:

We are engineering a completely new architecture and technologies to ensure that our next generation of sports cars is at the forefront of design, performance and technology. 

The strategic partnership with Daimler AG will bring with it cutting edge electrical and electronic expertise, and the shared development of world-class bespoke V8 powertrains.

It’s a bold plan to bring Aston’s cars properly in to the 21st century, but whether Aston has enough cash to develop an all-new platform as well as work with AMG to make their V8 engines suit Aston Martin – despite the biggest investment in the form’s history –  is a question only time will answer.