Mercedes Rumored to be Considering Aston Martin Buyout

German automaker Mercedes-Benz may be expanding its portfolio to include James Bond’s favorite car company.

Rumor has it that Mercedes is considering an Aston Martin buyout, a company which it already owns five percent of. Currently, the two automakers are in a relationship to co-develop V8 engines, one of which will power the next-generation Vantage. Though Aston Martin will supply the specific requirements to the powerplant, AMG will develop, program the ECU and do the testbed trails.

SEE ALSO: Aston Martin, Mercedes to Co-Develop New V8 Engines

Mercedes has been open about extending its relationship to Aston Martin to go beyond just powertrain development to possibly including platform sharing. Such a move could help revive the Aston Martin Lagonda SUV project as the original concept car was based on the Mercedes GL platform.

GALLERY: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: Autocar]

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