Nissan declined purchasing Aston Martin stake in 2012, 2013 – report

Three anonymous Nissan insiders have told Reuters that in 2012 and 2013 Palmer proposed this idea to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan CEO.

One source told the newswire, "We looked carefully at the proposal but we passed on it". None of the sources have elaborated on the record the reasoning behind Nissan's decision.

During Palmer's time on the Nissan board, the Britain oversaw an expanding relationship between Nissan and Daimler, owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Infiniti's upcoming front-wheel drive hatch, the Q30, will be based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, while the accompanying small SUV, the QX30, will use the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class as its starting point.

Daimler owns five per cent of the Aston Martin, and has agreed to supply electrical components, as well as AMG V8 engines, to the speciality British car maker. The Investment Dar from Kuwati and Italy's Investindustrial currently hold the largest stakes in Aston Martin.

Aston Martin announced earlier this week that Palmer, a 23 year veteran at Nissan, would soon leave his post at the Japanese automaker to take up the reigns as the CEO of James Bond's preferred auto brand.

Aside from launching the limited edition Lagonda sedan exclusively into the Middle East market, Palmer will also oversee the development of Aston Martin's next generation of vehicles. The current range is underpinned by the flexible VH platform, which dates back to the early 2000s. US sales of VH-based cars may be halted in the near future due to tightening safety standards.