Friday 22nd September 2006

Aston to stay in the family?

Bez reckons he's got the money

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V8 Vantage: keep it in the family

Could Ford's sale of Aston Martin be to the existing management after all?

After Ford had publicly poo-poo'ed the idea of a management buy-out, Aston Martin's boss, Dr Ulrich Bez, recently told the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he's secured the cash for just such a move. The FAZ reckoned the sale price at £1 billion.

Bez is also reported to have said that the sale could go through by the end of 2006, with Ford retaining a minority stake of 10 per cent.

Related stories

• Aston buy-out rumours swirl
• Aston boss to buy the company?
• Ford will sell Aston Martin

[Ace sportscars]

Christ for one moment I thought they were talking about Bez from Happy Mondays

[Twin Turbo]

I hope this is true. AM will continue to be well guided under Bez. But a cool Billion? They'll need shed loads more to continue development, so I hope they can still call on Ford for product and facility usage.

[scotty_917]

We've already covered these points before...including the Happy Monday's quip!

"I think uncle Ulrich's time at Porsche gave him a good understanding of what's required by the buyer's of a prestige marque....(he keeps a 993 in the front room of his house!) Astons improvement in design, production and chassis dynamics have been largely due to his outstanding influence. He will undoubtedly be kept on if he either heads up a consortium or someone else buy's the company. DB would be pround of his achievements in such a short space of time. The 'new' Wendelin Wiedeking?"

[Dr S]

As long as they can secure strong cooperation with a larger producer, this sounds like the way to go. Then, we as well be able to distinguish a V8 from a Jag XK again...

[dvs_dave]

Oooh......management and ownership uncertainty. Perhaps I'll be able to pick up a bargain AM V8. Going from large corporate ownership to private cash is bound to hit residuals, and I very much doubt it will be for the better.

[Tonsko]

Ace sportscars said:

Christ for one moment I thought they were talking about Bez from Happy Mondays

haha me too!

[Relaxed]

Really interested who'd bring in the money.
Private equity ? Gotta ask...

Apart from that: Whats Your take on the question of potential buyers being warded off by a not so stable (at least it maybe regarded that way) supply and servicing chain for AMs once being cut off from the deep-pocketed Ford ? This could be a killing argument. Imagine buying a 150kEURO car just to find out that You are cut off from any servicing after 3 years because "the money" has decided to leave again. Ooooweee. This IS serious !

Frank

[sprinter885]

dvs_dave said:

Oooh......management and ownership uncertainty. Perhaps I'll be able to pick up a bargain AM V8. Going from large corporate ownership to private cash is bound to hit residuals, and I very much doubt it will be for the better.

Any manufacturer with the range of new-ish models like AM will need SERIOUS ££s to sustain that sort of development & image. Although previously in private hands (David Brown himself) I always recall the story of an acquaintance of DB's asking if he could buy an AM at "cost" price due to his connection with Brown. DB told him something like "Of course-it's showroom price PLUS £XX" since they were making a loss on each car. You could get lucky-do you know U.Bez??

[:J:]

Relaxed said:

Really interested who'd bring in the money.
Private equity ? Gotta ask...

Apart from that: Whats Your take on the question of potential buyers being warded off by a not so stable (at least it maybe regarded that way) supply and servicing chain for AMs once being cut off from the deep-pocketed Ford ? This could be a killing argument. Imagine buying a 150kEURO car just to find out that You are cut off from any servicing after 3 years because "the money" has decided to leave again. Ooooweee. This IS serious !

Frank

Bez is also reported to have said that the sale could go through by the end of 2006, with Ford retaining a minority stake of 10 per cent.

[beasto]

This could be top solution.

Ford's 10 percent share should keep it on board for useful production necessities.

After that the world is AM's oyster -- now, how about a simpler, cheaper, lighter, baby AM for me...

[cov1]

i work at AM and the rumours there is mangemant buy out with ford holding on to 25% as we use a lot of jag and volvo bits on both V8 and DB9.also there is a baby aston (V8) with the engine from the DB9 in it>the DBS will be out next year the one what will be in the new bond film.