Aston Martin and Daimler sign technical partnership agreements

STUTTGART, Germany and GAYDON, England, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Supply and development agreements for engines signed
• Electric/Electronic (E/E) component supply planned
• Daimler to receive up to 5% equity in Aston Martin

Daimler AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. have signed an agreement for a significant technical partnership between Daimler, Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a 100% subsidiary and high-performance brand of German automotive corporation Daimler AG, and Aston Martin.

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Following the signing of a Letter of Intent in July this year, the two companies have continued to work together, exploring opportunities for co-operation and these discussions have resulted in the signing of definitive agreements.

The technical partnership will allow Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin to develop bespoke V8 engines supporting Aston Martin's launch of a next generation of models that will incorporate cutting edge technology and newly-developed engines, combining high performance and fuel efficiency.

Daimler will receive up to five percent non-voting shares in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership. At the same time, the company will receive an observer status on the Aston Martin Holdings board. Daimler joins Aston Martin's existing shareholder body that includes Prime Wagon, Adeem Investment and Investindustrial.

The parties are working to conclude the terms of an additional cooperation for the supply of electric/electronic (e/e) components. Furthermore, the two groups will investigate additional areas of cooperation in the future. Aston Martin will continue to manufacture all of its sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "By signing the Umbrella Agreement and the Engine Agreement both parties have agreed to this technical partnership: Mercedes-AMG will provide the British icon Aston Martin with engines for their forthcoming sports cars. At our company´s headquarters in Affalterbach we are proud to work with Aston Martin – this agreement is a real win-win situation for both sides."

A spokesperson for the Aston Martin board said: "Our company is this year celebrating its centenary, and the partnership agreed today underpins prospects for Aston Martin's bright, vibrant and dynamic second century in the sports car business. This strategic collaboration for Aston Martin will, in our next generation of luxury sports cars, offer our customers increased performance and state-of-the-art features whilst retaining the unique character and style of an Aston Martin."

Further information from Daimler is available at:
www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com

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About Daimler
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services.

The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group's focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world's most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2012, the Group sold 2.2 million vehicles and employed a workforce of 275,000 people; revenue totaled €114.3 billion and EBIT amounted to €8.6 billion.

SOURCE Daimler Corporate Communications