Aston Martin discusses building SUV model with Daimler

Aston Martin seems to have taken the plunge to produce an SUV model and is in talks with Daimler to extend their cooperation to building an SUV as the UK carmaker seeks to broaden its lineup.
As part of a move to extend cooperation between the two automakers, Daimler may also share the underpinnings of a new large SUV with Aston Martin.
Daimler agreed last year to acquire a stake of five percent in Aston Martin as part of an agreement to share technology with the England-based sports car maker.
Mercedes’s AMG high-performance division will develop V-8 engines with the UK company for Aston Martin’s next models.
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche told Reuters in January that the company would be open to sharing its GL offroad platform with Aston Martin, and that would depend on Aston’s product plans.
In 2009, at the Geneva auto show, Aston Martin unveiled a Lagonda SUV concept based on the Mercedes GL class.
Aston Martin is still searching for new CEO after Ulrich Bez stepped down at the end of 2013 following his 70th birthday.
The automaker won’t make any final decision on its model strategy before naming a new CEO, one source said.
Aston Martin has a target of boosting annual sales to 7,000 vehicles in 2016 from about 4,000 cars in 2013, with growth propelled by catering to growing demand in Asia, North and South America.