Truth be told, car manufacturing is an economy of scale. The more units they produce, the cheaper the relative costs (up to a point and only if they’re actually sold on).

That’s not happening right now for Aston. Not long ago, any rich Cityboy could stroll into their Park Lane shop and buy a couple of those babies on his Centurion card. Times have changed now. The sentiment’s Pessimistic.

AM need to address the short term to stay in the long term – hence the diversification. They need to shift more units because they ain’t gonna get any cash from the government.

What did Darwin say? It’s not the strongest nor the most intelligent that survives. It’s the one’s most adaptable to change. (paraphrasing)

But a rebranded Toyota iQ for twice the price?? They really ARE cashing in on their brand.

Honestly how would you call it…

In the time given of 4 months AML has passed from an HORRID, out place, out of brand, out of economy, ENORMOUS LAGONDA SUV…to a little, a small car rebranded IQ…a little bird…

PURE SCHIZOPHRENIA…

They tried to sell that big —-, and they coundn’t so now they try with a little one.

Shows little respect to your customer, to your possible client, to the market in general…

I am imagining a story:
AML marketing calling existing client asking them to buy a 5 meter car, big and with a 5.3 engine…and the customer eventually saying:”AML i trust you”. And after 4 months they receive a call saying: “umh well you remember the 5 meter car, well actually is just a little IQ, with a new grill and a 1.0 engine”…

Brand capital: not existing,
history: not existing
respect: not existing…

I said already if this is the future of automotive industry
(KIDDING THE MARKET,KIDDING THE PEOPLE),
this Automotive industry deserve to FAIL…..

Understanding their position backing into the wall with the emissions regulations coming down the road, I can appreciate their need to develop some kind of solution, but why, oh, why are they choosing a cheap Toyota as foundation of their foray into fuel efficiency? It’s a travesty.

I was thinking about it this morning and thought, why don’t they use their clout to resurrect MG? Furthermore, if Aston Martin was previously owned by Ford and Ford had/has a stake in Mazda, surely there could be connections to tap in pursuit of something Miata-based, right?

To me, that would make the most sense. The Miata is loved ’round the world for it’s drive quality and the interior has been improved over the years as well. I don’t see it as being too much of a stretch to re-skin a Miata in and out and have not only a smaller car with better fuel efficiency, but potentially a wildly popular avenue into the Aston Martin fold.

Just my thoughts. If you’re in the mood for a bit of lowbrow, I photoshopped up a couple other cars I feel are on the same level as the Cygnet. Particularly, a Konigsegg Camry CCX Hybrid, a Ferrari 42GT, and a hideous Lamborghini Cobalt SV.

It’s not that I have anything against Aston Martin or Toyota. I just don’t think this is the best idea in the world. http://dr1665.com

Thanks for your learned input!

If emissions have nothing to do with the project, there’s even less reason to play so lose and free with such a discordant brand.

Baffling indeed!

Sums up so much that was wrong about the Lagonda.

I think the story about Bez and Toyoda’s love-in at Le Mans, where they supposedly formed the idea, says it all about the rarefied nature of the social and business circles these people move in.

It’s hard not to conclude, following the Lagonda and Cygnet, that AM top brass have rather lost it. Good concept, wrong car.

For the record, Bez is stated as saying this has nothing to do with emissions (they think they’ll get an exemption), though by my reckoning selling the Cygnet as an Aston is the only way it would qualify as an AM car according to the EU legislation.

Whichever you look at it, it’s all rather baffling.