Ford is close to selling its Aston Martin brand for as much as $1.2 billion, according to a report in Britain’s Sunday Times. The original 30 interested parties has shrunk to just four contenders, which are now said to be engaged in a “particularly fierce” bidding war over the company.
The Times said Syrian billionaire investor Simon Halabi has emerged as the lead bidder. Ford announced in August it intended to sell the company in order to raise capital. In November, it was reported Aston Martin would likely become an independent car company, since no major automaker expressed an interest in acquiring the marquee.
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12/11, 12:39 AM
posted by:
A4
its sad to see
ford actually did something right with aston martin, too bad.
12/11, 12:50 AM
posted by:
Jordan
^ditto. aston really came into its own under ford’s ownership.
12/11, 12:50 AM
posted by:
autonutt
Let’s hope they get the Rapide built before handing over the reins.. once they go independent it may be years before any new models get developed, much less all-new platforms or engines.
12/11, 2:53 AM
posted by:
Veda
Forget it, I wouldn’t want to buy any unique brand that doesn’t have the backing of a technologically savvy auto company especially if they are in the business of building supercars. Though you can probably get a Vantage really cheap in the upcoming years. Times have changed, even Ferraris need to have magneride, electronic enhancements and other gimmicks to keep up to the competition.
12/11, 8:24 AM
posted by:
Brendino
I’m still not convinced that this isn’t short-sightedness on Ford’s part.
12/11, 9:54 AM
posted by:
meanpants555
Can Aston Martin still not source parts and technology from a major manufacturer?
And how on earth is AM going to be able to afford to put one of their cars in an upcoming James Bond movie? Is he going to be tooling around in BMWs again?
Ugh. If it wasn’t for the pictures of the new Lancer, I’d be completely bummed out.
12/11, 10:26 AM
posted by:
angelo
Not to be a “hater”. However, it is somewhat funny that is Ford was buying any supercar maker right now (Ferrari, Lambo, whatever), we’d all be screaming bloody murder and eulogizing the end of a grat car marque. Instead, Ford gets rid of a company it could’ve badly damaged and here we are all worried.
It’s an interesting world and I don’t mean to disagree, just point out an interesting fact.
Realistically, Aston will continue to use/need parts from other automakers and it may do just fine doing so.
The better question is: what will happen to Jag?
12/11, 1:29 PM
posted by:
04focus
Jaguar would probably try to move upmarket and hand over the $30-50k range to volvo/lincoln.
Something above the XKR?
12/11, 8:46 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
This is good for Ford, they desperately need the cash so this is a necessary move. Besides, their line-up of models and brands is pretty cluttered as it is right now.
12/12, 8:41 AM
posted by:
WEKS
I’m hoping they end up with a European owner for a change.
12/12, 4:22 PM
posted by:
hanlond
It’ll be intresting to see what will now happen to Aston Martin.
04focus, Lincoln is already in and in some vehicles past the $30-50k range. A fully loaded Navigator is $60k, fully loaded Town Car is $55k, and Mark LT is $50k.