Include

[MPi-KMS-72]

Originally Posted by Series 3 guy

,Ford will have to turn a profit.That means selling JAg and Aston. The fact behind that is that LR will be included in the sale as they are the only successful Brand in their English Auto industry portfolio.
I can assume that I will be shot to pieces over this non factual bit of rambling but oh well.

Aston Martin has been for sale since August, no other marque is included in the sale, they don't feel it is needed to "sweeten" the deal.

~august:

Ford announced today it has begun the process of "exploring strategic options for Aston Martin" — with particular emphasis on a potential sale of all or a portion of the unit. "As part of our ongoing strategic review, we have determined that Aston Martin may be an attractive opportunity to raise capital and generate value," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. "Aston Martin Lagonda has flourished under Ford ownership, which is why we believe it is prudent to consider a sale of all or part of this prized brand. Since Aston Martin’s dealer network, product architecture and size are distinctly different from other Ford brands, it is the most logical and capital-smart divestiture choice. The objective of any sale would be to position Aston Martin within a structure and resource base sufficient to allow it to reach its full potential, while enabling Ford to efficiently raise capital for its other brands."



Mr. Ford added, "Regarding our other Premier Automotive Group brands, we've made no decisions, as our review of strategic alternatives continues. However, we continue to be encouraged by Jaguar's progress and by the strength and consumer appeal of the Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo product lineups."

Thursday, 31 August 2006, 15:23 GMT 16:23 UK :

Ford considers Aston Martin sale

James Bond will be driving an Aston Martin again in the next 007 film
Aston Martin could soon be sold off, after owner Ford announced that it was looking at the future of the brand.
Ford said it was exploring strategic options for the luxury brand "with particular emphasis on a potential sale" of all or part of the unit.

A spokesman for the firm said it had already received a number of approaches for the brand from potential buyers.

Ford added there was no guarantee the review would result in Aston - made famous by James Bond - being sold.

"As part of our ongoing strategic review, we have determined that Aston Martin may be an attractive opportunity to raise capital and generate value," said chairman and chief executive Bill Ford.

"Aston Martin Lagonda has flourished under Ford ownership, which is why we believe it is prudent to consider a sale of all or part of this prized brand."

Easier sale

Experts said Ford had probably decided to sell Aston Martin as it was a profitable business and so would be easier to dispose of.

Tom Donnelly, a motor industry specialist at Coventry Business School, said selling the business would help Ford to fund its massive restructuring drive in the US.

"It's one way to free up cash and fund subsequent redundancies in the US," he told BBC News.

He added that the brand was seen as the "jewel in the crown of luxury brands", and while it may not be attractive to other car firms as the industry goes through a tough period it would be an attractive proposition for a private equity firm.

"A private equity buyer would be good for jobs and for the car, it would mean a fresh injection of capital into Aston Martin," he said.

Struggling

Aston is part of the Premier Automotive Group (PAG) of luxury car brands which also includes Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.

The division has been struggling in recent years, and in a filing to US financial watchdogs earlier this month Ford said it expected PAG to be unprofitable in 2006.

However, Mr Ford said the group had not yet made a decision on the future of the entire division.

Founded in 1913, Aston Martin now has its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. It employs around 1,700 people at two sites, one in Gaydon, the other at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.

The business sold an estimated 4,500 cars last year and has set a target of 5,000 sales this year.

News that the iconic Aston brand could be sold off follows recent speculation that Ford's underperforming UK Jaguar unit could also be put up for sale. Earlier this month machinery group JCB said it was interested in buying Jaguar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5302310.stm


now:

Aston Martin sale imminent
Posted Dec 11th 2006 6:51AM by Damon Lavrinc

More developments are underway as to what marque within Ford's Premier Auto Group (PAG) will be unloaded and to whom. The recent news is that more than 30 would-be investors began a bidding war for Aston Martin recently and when the dust settled, four were left standing.

Some of the investors knocked out during the process include Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, who partnered with other investors hailing from Asia. Dr. Bez and his friends were escorted out of the building along with the European business duo of Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere.

Of the four left standing, three have yet to disclose their identity publicly. The one that has been confirmed is Simon Halabi, who was born in Syria and has supposedly thrown over $1 billion into the ring.

With this much activity transpiring, we'd expect a sale to take place soon. Exactly when is another question.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/a...sale-imminent/


and:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Louis Vuitton to acquire Aston Martin


French luxury goods maker LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA — better known as just Louis Vuitton — has won an auction to acquire Aston Martin from Ford, according to a German news report.


The news will appear in weekly auto magazine Autobild tomorrow, according to Marke****ch, which obtained an advance copy of the article. The Autobild report cites well-placed but anonymous sources.


Earlier this week, bidding ended for Aston Martin, which has been up for "auction" since August. Ford is selling the successful sports car company in order to raise much-needed capital.


Ford will retain a 15 percent stake in the company, according to the report. No details on the sale price were given, but a report by Britain's Sunday Times in December put valuation as high as $1.2

http://www.landroverusaforums.com/fo...read.php?t=575