Nissan and Infiniti executive Andy Palmer will replace Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez at an undisclosed date. Before joining Nissan in 1991, the 51-year-old engineer had led Austin Rover’s transmission development. As head of Infiniti, he earned his credentials as an executive of a premium brand.
The headhunters dispatched to find a replacement for Bez had been out for a long time and pitched various automotive executives. Succeeding Bez at the helm won’t be an easy task as Aston Martin’s model lineup is in need of a thorough overhaul. All currently offered models use variations of the aging VH platform, and design hasn’t progressed much ever since Ian Callum penned the V8 Vantage and the DB9 more than a decade ago. The engine portfolio is outdated, as well.
Palmer now faces the challenge of integrating the technology that will be provided by Mercedes-AMG; Aston Martin and Daimler’s high-performance subsidiary have agreed on using AMG engines and hardware. Daimler owns 5 percent of Aston Martin.
If Daimler takes over Aston Martin in its entirety, Palmer’s role may have to be redefined. But he is well versed in his dealings with Daimler; at Nissan and Infiniti, he oversaw the joint development of projects with the German-based premium carmaker.
Despite his claims of being a gearhead, Palmer’s credentials are rusty at best, according to some insiders. He was behind the launch of some questionable recent NISMO products. Before that, his background was as a transmission engineer; he’s one of the people most responsible for the fact Nissan is now the world’s leading manufacturer of CVTs.
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When we spoke with Palmer at Infiniti, he sang the praises of hybrid technology. Whether he’ll pursue this passion at Aston Martin remains to be seen.
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