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Mar 12, 2007 10:14 AM
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Wed Feb 10
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We're on the conference call right now where we're being told FoMoCo will be selling Aston Martin for just over $925 million to a consortium composed of ProDrive's David Richards, John Sinders, Investment Dar and Kuwaiti investment entity Adeem Investment Co. But even after the sale, which is expected to close in the second quarter, Lewis Booth, the President of Ford Europe and PAG claims there will be "a continued relationship between Ford and Aston Martin." Despite that remark by Booth, and other than the comment on the Aston release of "as part of the transaction, Ford will retain a 40 million ($77 million) investment in Aston Martin," there are no further details as of yet on what that means. Full press release below the jump.
FORD ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO SELL ASTON MARTINPhoto By: SHAUN CURRY / AFPDEARBORN, Mich., March, 12, 2007 - Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Aston Martin, its prestigious sports car business, to a consortium comprised of David Richards, John Sinders, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co. This transaction is the result of Ford's decision, as announced in August 2006, to explore strategic options for the Aston Martin business as the company restructures its core automotive operations and builds liquidity.
The sale is expected to close during the second quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals. The transaction values Aston Martin at 479 million ($925 million). As part of the transaction, Ford will retain a 40 million ($77 million) investment in Aston Martin. Other terms and conditions specific to the sale are not being disclosed at this time.
"The sale of Aston Martin supports the key objectives of the company, to restructure to operate profitably at lower volumes and changed model mix and to speed the development of new products," said Alan Mulally, Ford's President and chief executive officer. "From Aston Martin's point of view, the sale will provide access to additional capital, which will allow Aston Martin to continue the growth it has experienced under Ford's stewardship. Today's announcement is good for Ford Motor Company, good for Aston Martin and good for the UK. We wish Aston Martin every possible success for the future."
The new owner of Aston Martin is a consortium comprised of: David Richards, founder and chairman of Prodrive, a world-leading motorsport and automotive technology company; John Sinders, an avid Aston Martin collector and a backer of Aston Martin Racing; and Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co, international investment companies headquartered in Kuwait.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Related:
Aston Martin Ownership Machinations: Private Equity Firm Waiting for Prodrive to Blink; What's in Aston's Cards? Let the Buyer Sort of Beware; Breaking! Germans Claim Louis Vuitton Will Buy Aston Martin, Will Prada Buy Jaguar? [internal]
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