Ford has told just-auto that its luxury sportscar unit Aston Martin has indeed been the subject of interest from potential buyers since becoming available in August.
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However, the manufacturer did not identify which of the potential investors linked with Aston Martin over recent weeks had shown an interest in the firm, which forms part of its Premier Automotive Group (PAG), together with Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.
Ford’s PAG director of communications Simon Warr said: “We announced back in August that we are looking into the possibility of selling all or part of Aston Martin.
“We have had quite a lot of interest and are working through the process, but do not expect that to be completed before the year end.”
Ford also told just-auto that it has not put a price tag on Aston Martin.
It was reported this weekend that UK equity firms Permira and Alchemy Partners were preparing bids of up to GBP500m (US$952.2) along with the US buyout group Texas Pacific Group.
Separately, the Financial Times reported on 20 October that European billionaire businessmen Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère were creating a joint investment structure worth in the region of GBP1bn for Aston Martin.
Aston Martin corporate affairs manager Barbara Prince told just-auto: “We have got nothing further to add. There was speculation in the press over the weekend but that was not generated by Aston Martin.”
Joe Ayling
