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| Aston Martin buyer to be unveiled | Aston Martin buyer to be unveiled |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The sale of luxury car business Aston Martin to a British-led company is expected to be announced later, with a news conference set for 1300 GMT. | |
| The buyer is tipped to be a consortium led by Dave Richards, head of performance car firm Prodrive - based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. | |
| The price for the maker of James Bond's favourite car is set to be £400-500m. | |
| Current owner Ford bought 75% of Aston Martin in 1987, picking up the rest of the marque's shares six years later. | Current owner Ford bought 75% of Aston Martin in 1987, picking up the rest of the marque's shares six years later. |
| The American giant put Aston Martin up for sale six months ago, in response to its own financial problems. | The American giant put Aston Martin up for sale six months ago, in response to its own financial problems. |
| Ford lost more than $12bn last year and has had to take out a $23bn mortgage to cover its restructuring. | Ford lost more than $12bn last year and has had to take out a $23bn mortgage to cover its restructuring. |
| Access to technology | Access to technology |
| It's a classic trophy asset Simon Dorris, Lansdowne Consultants Buyers eye Aston Martin In pictures: Car firm's history | It's a classic trophy asset Simon Dorris, Lansdowne Consultants Buyers eye Aston Martin In pictures: Car firm's history |
| "They're laying off tens of thousands of workers and closing plants in North America so raising $1bn by selling Aston Martin is a quick hit for them to keep their shareholders happy", David Bailey, professor of Economic Policy and International Business at Birmingham University, explained. | "They're laying off tens of thousands of workers and closing plants in North America so raising $1bn by selling Aston Martin is a quick hit for them to keep their shareholders happy", David Bailey, professor of Economic Policy and International Business at Birmingham University, explained. |
| Ford is also expected to retain a minority stake in the business, such a move would help Aston's buyers retain access to the technology that drives the current models. | Ford is also expected to retain a minority stake in the business, such a move would help Aston's buyers retain access to the technology that drives the current models. |
| ASTON MARTIN HISTORY 1913: Founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford1975: Sold to American owners1987: Ford buys 75% stake1994: Ford takes full control2005: Record 4,500 sales | ASTON MARTIN HISTORY 1913: Founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford1975: Sold to American owners1987: Ford buys 75% stake1994: Ford takes full control2005: Record 4,500 sales |
| Aston Martin will reveal its new owner at a lunchtime press conference in the UK. | Aston Martin will reveal its new owner at a lunchtime press conference in the UK. |
| Dave Richards is a former accountant who became a professional rally driver, winning the World Rally Championship as co-driver with Ari Vatanen in 1981. | Dave Richards is a former accountant who became a professional rally driver, winning the World Rally Championship as co-driver with Ari Vatanen in 1981. |
| His company, Prodrive, already runs the Aston Martin racing team in the sports car series around the world, as well as the Subaru world rally team. However, Prodrive itself will probably not be involved in the consortium bid. | His company, Prodrive, already runs the Aston Martin racing team in the sports car series around the world, as well as the Subaru world rally team. However, Prodrive itself will probably not be involved in the consortium bid. |
| But with Prodrive due to enter Formula One racing next year there has been speculation that the cars might be Aston Martin branded. | But with Prodrive due to enter Formula One racing next year there has been speculation that the cars might be Aston Martin branded. |
| The financial backing for the potential deal is understood to include Kuwaiti companies. | The financial backing for the potential deal is understood to include Kuwaiti companies. |
| Are you a current or former owner of an Aston Martin? Do you have any pictures of it? | Are you a current or former owner of an Aston Martin? Do you have any pictures of it? |
| If so, send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | If so, send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |