[BZ25]

Aston Martin names Mercedes-AMG chief as new boss

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/i...chief-new-boss

Aston Martin has confirmed that current Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers will replace Andy Palmer as the embattled firm’s chief executive officer. Palmer, 56, has served as both president and chief executive officer. He will step down from his duties immediately. Moers, 55, will start as chief executive officer on 1 August, and will also serve on the firm’s board as an executive director.


Keith Stanton, currently Aston’s vice-president and manufacturing chief, will lead the company on an interim basis until Moers’ arrival.
Aston Martin has posted heavy losses, with the firm's share price falling sharply. The move comes shortly after billionaire Lawrence Stroll led a major investment in the firmand took over as chairman. Stroll said Aston’s board “has determined that now is the time for new leadership to deliver our plans.” He added that Moers was “the right leader for Aston Martin as we implement our strategy for the business to achieve its full potential.”


Moers has worked at Daimler for more than 25 years, and switched to the Mercedes-AMG performance division in 1994. He became the firm’s head of vehicle development in 2002, and took over the top role late in 2013.
Moers has since led a major expansion of the AMG range, doubling its model range and hugely increasing sales. Stroll said that experience would be crucial to reviving Aston’s fortunes.

[ajmat]

Quite saddened by this. Andy was in this for the passion. He could have been running bigger car companies but he chose Aston. He personally engaged with customers and on the shop floor and reinvigorated the brand. He also got St Ather up and running.

His main mistake was the IPO but that's a damned if you do or damned if your dont situation. You needed the IPO to fund the DBX and St Ather but the high price of the share was his downfall.

Saying that, Tobias might be able to provide the Astons with that extra edge product wise. (Andy was more familiar with making Nissans!).

Am betting Andy gets a plum role gets to join his old colleague Carlos Tavares in PSA and kick FCA into action

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the International Scene!

[deetjohn]

One of my favorite podcast - The Carmudgeon show' latest episode is on the Aston CEO drama. I just heard it today morning!

According to Jason, this move is the best for Aston. All the good cars from Aston in the recent past came out during the reign of Dr. Ulrich Bez. Andy Palmer was not cut for the job and he rushed out cars half baked. And Aston simply cannot go wrong with DBX. That thing has to be successful for them to make good cars.

Also, don't forget Daimler owns 5% of Aston and all engines and many peripheral systems come from there. So, who better to lead the company, than the man who made AMG a brand in itself. After all, the Germans have a knack for fixing the niche brands. Ask Bugatti, Bentley or Rolls-Royce! Or just ask Dr. Bez!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N18T-cs5EWg