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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Aston Martin sold to UK-led group | Aston Martin sold to UK-led group |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Luxury car firm Aston Martin is heading back to British hands after being sold to a UK-led group for £479m ($924m). | |
| The consortium buying the marque from Ford is headed by Dave Richards of performance car firm Prodrive, and is backed by Kuwaiti investors. | The consortium buying the marque from Ford is headed by Dave Richards of performance car firm Prodrive, and is backed by Kuwaiti investors. |
| The sale of the firm behind James Bond's favourite car comes as Ford tackles its own financial woes, though the group is holding onto a £40m stake. | The sale of the firm behind James Bond's favourite car comes as Ford tackles its own financial woes, though the group is holding onto a £40m stake. |
| Ford bought 75% of Aston Martin's shares in 1987, buying the rest later. | Ford bought 75% of Aston Martin's shares in 1987, buying the rest later. |
| Aston Martin will remain at its purpose-built factory in Gaydon in Warwickshire, which employs 1,800 people. | Aston Martin will remain at its purpose-built factory in Gaydon in Warwickshire, which employs 1,800 people. |
| 'Incredible opportunity' | 'Incredible opportunity' |
| This next stage in the company's history promises to be the most exciting yet Ulrich Bez Aston Martin chief executive In pictures: Car firm's history | This next stage in the company's history promises to be the most exciting yet Ulrich Bez Aston Martin chief executive In pictures: Car firm's history |
| Mr Richards, who is making his investment in a personal capacity, is a former accountant who became a professional rally driver and has been described as the "Richard Branson of motorsport". | |
| "This is an incredible opportunity - Aston Martin is one of the world's most iconic brands," he said. | "This is an incredible opportunity - Aston Martin is one of the world's most iconic brands," he said. |
| "We are confident we now have all the right ingredients to take Aston Martin to even greater heights." | "We are confident we now have all the right ingredients to take Aston Martin to even greater heights." |
| Also in the consortium is John Sinders, a banker in finance and shipping who spends his time between Texas and Dubai. | Also in the consortium is John Sinders, a banker in finance and shipping who spends his time between Texas and Dubai. |
| An Aston Martin owner with a great affection for the brand on both road and track, he told the BBC: "The dream for me was to own an Aston Martin, never to own part of the company. It's a dream come true." | An Aston Martin owner with a great affection for the brand on both road and track, he told the BBC: "The dream for me was to own an Aston Martin, never to own part of the company. It's a dream come true." |
| Two Kuwaiti companies - Investment Dar and Adeem Investment - complete the group. | Two Kuwaiti companies - Investment Dar and Adeem Investment - complete the group. |
| 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 sales2007: Sold by Ford to a UK-led consortium | 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 sales2007: Sold by Ford to a UK-led consortium |
| 'Tremendously exciting' | 'Tremendously exciting' |
| Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez said the partnership was "a tremendously exciting opportunity". | Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez said the partnership was "a tremendously exciting opportunity". |
| "It is a new beginning which will give the company the opportunity to attain an even higher level of excellence," he said. | "It is a new beginning which will give the company the opportunity to attain an even higher level of excellence," he said. |
| "This next stage in the company's history promises to be the most exciting yet." | "This next stage in the company's history promises to be the most exciting yet." |
| Six months ago Ford put the marque back up for sale in response to its financial problems. | |
| Ford lost more than $12bn in 2006, and has had to take out a $23bn mortgage to cover its restructuring. | |
| It said the sale was good news for both Ford and Aston Martin. | |
| Mr Richards won the World Rally Championship as co-driver with Ari Vatanen in 1981. | |
| Prodrive already runs the Aston Martin racing team in the sports car series around the world, as well as the Subaru world rally team. |