For most high-end automotive manufactures (Maybach being a notable exception) the good times are on a roll with sales at record levels around the globe. The ‘recently rich’ from emerging markets such as Russia and China are proving that their tastes are just as expensive as their older monied capitalist brethren from more established nations.

For Aston Martin, this means that they cannot keep up with the current demand for their range of stunning performance cars and major shareholder, Kuwaiti Firm Investment Dar are of the opinion that an alliance could solve quite a few of their expansion issues. Investment Dar are planning to combine Aston Martin’s ultra exclusiveness with the tutonic industrial prowess of Mercedes-Benz – a match made in heaven?

Assuming such an alliance takes place, the result will be the pairing of both firms in the design and production of new engines and possibly even new models. It is not Aston’s intention to end the 100 percent English manufacture of their product, as production would continue at their Gaydon plant. AM produced 7,000 cars in 2007 and it is their intention to increase that by 1,000 in 2008. It is estimated that Aston’s Gaydon plant is capable of producing 9,000 cars per annum and when this limit on production is reached, the potential alliance with Mercedes-Benz may allow some production to be outsourced.

The potential alliance of ‘style and efficiency’ is still in the process of having the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, we’ll let you know when we hear more.

[Source: Automotive News via MotorAuthority]