Aston Martin Buyers Line Up

The world’s two biggest luxury goods firms including the conglomerate behind brands like Moet and Louis Vuitton are locked in a battle to buy Aston Martin from cash-starved Ford.

Ford announced today that the British sports car manufacturer would be sold and CAR has learned that Swiss-based Richemont and the French holding company LVMH have emerged as most likely to take on Aston despite having no previous experience in the car industry.

Ford desperately needs to tap into the potential $700m-$1bn the sale of Aston could generate and hopes to finalise a deal by the end of the year. That deal would include the Aston name, the company’s facilities at Gaydon and Newport Pagnell, the full research and development department and the management including boss Ulrich Bez.

Contrary to rumour Ford hasn't spent a great deal on Aston since taking charge in 1993 and would actually make a reasonable return on its investment.

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chewy - 8/31/2006 7:54:17 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe VAG will buy it?

Agent63 - 8/31/2006 9:33:55 PM

+1 Boost

It would be nice if Merc bought the company. Maybe Aston will influence some better building quality and give Merc even more luxury attributes to it's much improved ammenities.

Allosaur - 9/1/2006 12:23:20 AM

+1 Boost

Elitist handbag companies buying an automotive heritage icon. My goodness; what is this world coming to? Jaguar and Aston are looking like expendable commodities. Blue chips they are not. What a shame as this comes at a time when each of these classic brands were peaking with innovative marketing steps like an "affordable" Aston dubbed the "baby" Aston (V8 Vantage) and Jaguar's new XK is amongst the most exquisite crafts on the road and even a bargain in the eyes of many.

Bavarias_Finest - 9/1/2006 7:05:03 PM

+1 Boost

Ford certainly has enough headaches, it is probably a good move to drop the problem proned Aston Martin's and Jaguar, as they are finally contemplating.

On the issue of Daimler-Chrysler contemplating picking up Aston Martin, I would highly doubt it. There is just an unwritten rule between German motors versus English, and ultimately the Germans dont want anything to do with the English. Also as an earlier AutoSpies article pointed out Daimler-Chrysler is probably buying McLaren in the near future, a more prestigious company IMO.

Bavarias_Finest - 9/1/2006 7:09:04 PM

+1 Boost

One correction on my earlier post...
Daimler-Chrysler buying McLaren would be the exception to the unwritten rule between German and English motors. At this point McLaren has created an impressive resume, beyond belief, and really what bad things can you say...other than the SLR being an automatic, but that was Daimler-Chrysler's doing.