Aston Martin says leather interior boosts value
UK-based car manufacturer Aston Martin has created a city car based on Toyota Motor’s iQ subcompact to broaden its appeal and boost revenue.
The model, named the Cygnet, features a hand-stitched leather interior made from seven cow hides and an Aston Martin badge on the grille, which the company says will persuade customers to pay £30,995 ($50,500) for the car; more than double the price of Toyota’s iQ, which provides the engine, transmission and frame.
“This car is a luxury city car,” chief designer Marek Reichman said. “Prior to Cygnet your choice was, you open the door and it smells of plastic; now you open the door, and you’ll be hit by this wonderful smell of leather.”
Aston Martin aims to sell 1,500 Cygnets a year, which would make it the closely held company's second-best seller after the V-8 Vantage’s annual deliveries of about 2,000. Overall, sales in 2010 gained about 6% to 4,250 cars, spokesman Kevin Watters said.
