Mercedes-Benz Membeli 20 Peratus Aston Martin

Dengan coronavirus menyerang di seluruh dunia, segmen kereta mewah global tidaklah begitu mewah. Syarikat kereta mewah Britain, Aston Martin baru-baru ini mengumumkan bahawa pendapatan mereka telah menurun sebanyak 50 peratus pada suku ketiga 2020, jatuh kepada 124 juta £ berbanding dengan 244 juta £ yang sihat tahun sebelum 2020.

Kini muncul berita baik bahawa Mercedes-Benz akan mengambil alih 20% saham ekuiti di Aston Martin sebagai pertukaran untuk menjadi salah satu pemegang saham terbesar Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz akan memberikannya akses kepada teknologi reka bentuk keretanya. Mercedes-Benz sudah memiliki kepentingan 5 peratus dalam syarikat kereta sukan ikonik ini.

Peminat kereta dan jutawan Lawrence Stroll yang juga memiliki pasukan Formula One Racing Point (sebelumnya disebut Force India yang dia selamatkan dari kebankrapan) mengambil saham 16.7 peratus di Aston Martin awal tahun lalu dan telah berusaha untuk menghidupkan kembali kekayaan jenama itu sejak itu.

Saham di Aston Martin melonjak 4.5 peratus sebelum pengumuman, yang datang ketika pasaran ditutup petang semalam. Sejak disenaraikan pada bulan Oktober 2018, syarikat itu mengalami kesulitan, dengan pendapatan yang semakin menurun kerana wabak koronavirus.

KENYATAAN MEDIA:

 Mercedes-Benz AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc (“Aston Martin”) have announced a new strategic technology agreement and an enhanced partnership. The new agreement will see Mercedes-Benz AG grant access to a range of advanced Mercedes-Benz technologies, including next generation hybrid and electric powertrains, as well as other vehicle components and systems.

Access to these technologies will be granted in exchange for new shares in Aston Martin, issued in several stages over the next 3 years, up to a total value of GBP 286 million. Mercedes-Benz AG’s current shareholding stands at 2.6% of Aston Martin’s common equity. The new shares to be issued will take Mercedes-Benz AG’s holding up to a maximum of no more than 20.0%. Mercedes-Benz AG has no intention to increase its holding in Aston Martin beyond this level.

Background

In 2013, Mercedes-Benz AG and Aston Martin entered into a strategic cooperation for the supply of AMG V8 enginesand the supply of components for the E/E (electrical) architecture. In return, Mercedes-Benz AG received an equity participation of 5% in Aston Martin. Following Aston Martin’s IPO in 2018 and various further financing rounds, Mercedes-Benz AG now owns a 2.6% stake.

Key terms of the new agreement

During 2020, negotiations regarding the expansion of the existing cooperation were initiated. In a first step, Aston Martin requested access to certain engines and powertrains as well as powertrain software, E/E architecture and various other components. Mercedes-Benz AG has agreed to provide such technology access to Aston Martin in exchange for additional new shares in Aston Martin, which will be allotted to Mercedes-Benz AG by means of a Contribution in Kind (“CiK”). The arrangement will not involve any cash consideration from Mercedes-Benz AG. The supply of the systems and components will be on arm’s length terms.

A total CiK value of GBP 286 million will be required to achieve the maximum agreed shareholding of 20.0% in Aston Martin. Mercedes-Benz AG has no intention to increase its holding beyond this level. The new shares shall be issued to Mercedes-Benz AG in several tranches by 2023, tied to the release of various technology packages.

The main terms and conditions for the first technology package and share tranche have already been agreed. The value for the Tranche 1 technology is GBP 140 million. The shares to be issued to Mercedes-Benz AG in return for Tranche 1 technology will increase Mercedes-Benz AG’s shareholding to 11.8%. For further tranches, the parties need to agree upon the scope of the technology to be made available to Aston Martin, the respective value (“entry fees”) and the piece prices of components and systems.

The planned continuation and enhancement of the cooperation with Aston Martin will result in further sales of components and systems for Mercedes-Benz AG, as well as the potential upside of any increase in the value of the enlarged shareholding in Aston Martin.