Seems like the recession isn�t hitting just common people, but is also affecting the market for $200,000-plus supercars. One such example is the Rapide, Aston Martin�s sports sedan, whose sales are falling way off initial expectations. According to media reports, the British carmaker is cutting back production of the Rapide to 25 cars per week, which translates to 1,250 per year, or 750 less than initial estimates.
For the past two years, Aston Martin has been manufacturing the Rapide at Magna Steyr�s facilities in Austria, but that�s about to change soon as today, the British automaker announced that it will move production of the four-door sports saloon to the company�s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, UK. The company said the necessary upgrades at its Gaydon headquarters for Rapide will begin immediately with a view to begin production of the Rapide in the second half of 2012.
In a goodwill gesture towards the people of Japan, Aston Martin boss Dr. Ulrich Bez will auction his company Rapide sports sedan at this year�s annual Bonhams event at Newport Pagnell, with all proceeds from the sale to benefit charities providing aid to the victims of the recent earthquakes and Tsunami. The Bonhams auction house said that in support of this initiative, it would waive its commission the Rapide sale that will take place in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, on Saturday May 21.
The Aston Martin Rapide is a four-door, high-performance sport saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin introduced in early 2010. It was first presented as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in 2006. The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The car is based on an Aston Martin DB9.
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide
The base price for the Aston Martin Rapide is $235,800 (USD) and the first cars were rolled out in May 2010. The Rapide is built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. Production began in 2010 and the factory plans to build 2,000 per year. The production version features a full-length glass roof and LED light bars on the rear end, two firsts for Aston Martin.
