Editing Aston Martin (section)

=== 2007–2018: Private Limited Company ===
On 12 March 2007, a consortium led by [[Prodrive]] chairman [[David Richards (racing)|David Richards]] purchased Aston Martin for £475&nbsp;million (US$848&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6442101.stm |title=Aston Martin sold to UK-led group |work=BBC News |date=12 June 2007 |access-date=30 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1254955,00.html |title=00-Heaven! Bond's Car British Again, Sky News, Home |publisher=Sky News |access-date=30 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011174406/http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0%2C%2C30000-1254955%2C00.html |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117370443833533989 |title=Ford to Sell Aston Martin Unit In Deal Valued at $848 Million |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=12 March 2007}}</ref> The group included American investment banker John Sinders and two Kuwaiti companies namely Investment Dar and [[Adeem Investment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/automobiles/13auto.html |title=Ford to Sell Aston Martin to Group Led by Ex-Racer |website=The New York Times |date=13 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/business/12ford.web.html |title=Ford Is Selling Aston Martin |website=The New York Times |date=13 March 2007}}</ref> Prodrive had no financial involvement in the deal.<ref>{{cite press release |title=David Richards heads consortium to buy Aston Martin |publisher=Prodrive |date=12 March 2007 |url=http://www.prodrive.com/p_releases.html |access-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826160907/http://www.prodrive.com/p_releases.html?id=98 |archive-date=26 August 2014 }}</ref> Ford kept a stake in Aston Martin valued at £40&nbsp;million (US$70&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1545308/Aston-Martin-back-under-British-ownership.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1545308/Aston-Martin-back-under-British-ownership.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Aston Martin back under British ownership|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=13 March 2007|access-date=6 December 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

To demonstrate the V8 Vantage's durability across hazardous terrain and promote the car in China, the first east–west crossing of the [[Asian Highway Network#First car crossing|Asian Highway]] was undertaken between June and August 2007. A pair of Britons drove {{convert|12089|km|mi|abbr=in}} from Tokyo to [[Istanbul]] before joining the European motorway network for another {{convert|3259|km|mi|abbr=in}} to London. The promotion was so successful Aston Martin opened dealerships in Shanghai and Beijing within three months.<ref>{{cite press release |title=New Aston Martin race series for Asia in 2008 |publisher=Aston Martin |date=28 November 2007 |url=http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=02df19a0-f937-459b-837d-12d13e71a501 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204083915/http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=02df19a0-f937-459b-837d-12d13e71a501 |archive-date=4 December 2007 |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>

On 19 July 2007, the [[Newport Pagnell]] plant rolled out the last of nearly 13,000 cars made there since 1955, a Vanquish S. The Tickford Street facility was converted and became the home of the Aston Martin Works classic car department which focuses on heritage sales, service, spares and restoration operations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/focus-heritage-aston-martin-works |title=Focus on Heritage: 'Aston Martin Works' |date=13 January 2012 |website=Classic Driver |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=From Newport Pagnell to Gaydon |journal=The Automobile |date=November 2007}}</ref> UK production was subsequently concentrated on the {{convert|55|acre|ha|adj=on}} facility in [[Gaydon]] on the former [[RAF]] [[V Bomber]] [[RAF Gaydon|airbase]].<ref>[http://www.astonmartins.com/factory/gaydon.htm Aston Martin Gaydon] at Tim Cottingham's Aston Martins (non-official) site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828163849/http://www.astonmartins.com/factory/gaydon.htm |date=28 August 2012 }}</ref> In March 2008, Aston Martin announced a partnership with [[Magna Steyr]] to outsource manufacture of over 2,000 cars annually to Graz, Austria, reassuringly stating: "The continuing growth and success of Aston Martin is based upon Gaydon as the focal point and heart of the business, with the design and engineering of all Aston Martin products continuing to be carried out there."<ref>[http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=203a26c4-47e1-4667-9a0c-3ddb9415aa1f Statement by Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez] Official site, 4 March 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523165139/http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=203a26c4-47e1-4667-9a0c-3ddb9415aa1f |date=23 May 2013 }}</ref>

More dealers in Europe and the new pair in China brought the total to 120 in 28 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Martin News – Aston Martin arrives in China |url=http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=a7e62136-48fa-487b-8065-fe2a12e60af1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523170337/http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=a7e62136-48fa-487b-8065-fe2a12e60af1 |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> On 1 September 2008, Aston Martin announced the revival of the [[Lagonda]] marque, proposing a concept car to be shown in 2009 to coincide with the brand's 100th anniversary. The first production cars were slated for production in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Martin News – Aston Martin CEO confirms the revival of the Lagonda Marque |url=http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=007b120b-8120-4ad9-80f9-60da21ed0c01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523171711/http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=007b120b-8120-4ad9-80f9-60da21ed0c01 |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> In December 2008, Aston Martin announced it would cut its workforce from 1,850 to 1,250 due to the economic recession.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7759239.stm |title=England, Third of jobs go at Aston Martin |work=BBC News |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=29 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/sep/27/automotive-industry-manufacturing-sector |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Phillip |last=Inman |title=Aston Martin in peril as owner Investment Dar runs out of cash |date=27 September 2009}}</ref>

The first four-door [[Aston Martin Rapide|Rapide]] grand tourers rolled out of the [[Magna Steyr]] factory in [[Graz]], Austria, in 2010.<ref>[http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=62fae734-e1d7-434f-af22-259a8848fbb4 Media announcement] on official website, 7 May 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523181625/http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=62fae734-e1d7-434f-af22-259a8848fbb4 |date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> The contract manufacturer provides dedicated facilities to ensure compliance with the exacting standards of Aston Martin and other marques, including [[Mercedes-Benz]]. Then CEO of the company, Ulrich Bez had publicly speculated about outsourcing all of Aston Martin's operations with the exception of marketing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Aston-to-build-cars-abroad-/ |title=Aston to build cars abroad |first=Ben |last=Oliver |work=Car Magazine |date=3 March 2008 |access-date=28 December 2011 }}</ref> In September 2011, it was announced that production of the Rapide would be returned to Gaydon in the second half of 2012, restoring all of the company's automobile manufacture there.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Production of Aston Martin Rapide Moves to Gaydon, England |url=http://wot.motortrend.com/production-aston-martin-rapide-moves-gaydon-england-84627.html |first=Jake |last=Holmes |date=7 June 2011 |magazine=Motor Trend |access-date=28 December 2011 }}</ref>

Italian private equity fund Investindustrial signed a deal on 6 December 2012 to buy a 37.5% stake in Aston Martin, investing £150&nbsp;million as a capital increase.<ref name=BBC20640529>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20640529|title=Aston Martin sells stake to Investindustrial|work=BBC News|date=7 December 2012|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=Reuters21207>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-astonmartin-stake-idUSBRE8B60C620121207 |first1=Rhys |last1=Jones |first2=Jennifer |last2=Clark |title=Italian private equity fund Investindustrial has signed a deal to buy 37.5 percent of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd ASTON.UL from its Kuwaiti owner Investment Dar |work=Reuters |date=7 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2013 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308014159/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-astonmartin-stake-idUSBRE8B60C620121207 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/economia/aston_martin_italiana_investindustrial_bonomi/notizie/236499.shtml |title=Pagina non Trovata |website=www.ilmessaggero.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.motori24.ilsole24ore.com/Industria-Protagonisti/2012/12/aston--martin-passa-mani-italiane.phpAston |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126010244/http://www.motori24.ilsole24ore.com/Industria-Protagonisti/2012/12/aston--martin-passa-mani-italiane.phpAston |url-status=dead |title=Motori 24 – Il Sole 24 ORE |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> This was confirmed by Aston Martin in a press release on 7 December 2012.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.astonmartin.com/en/news?nTitle=Aston+Martin+announces+new+partnership+with+Investindustrial&nId=ea602804-3762-43f4-acf4-4f54b257f30b |title=Aston Martin – The Latest News and Press Releases from Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> David Richards left Aston Martin in 2013, returning to concentrate on Prodrive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/interview/motor-david-richards-prodrive-boss-former-world-rally-champion/ |title=ME AND MY MOTOR: DAVID RICHARDS, PRODRIVE BOSS AND FORMER WORLD RALLY CHAMPION |first=Jeremy |last=Taylor |work=The Sunday Times |date=4 July 2017 |access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Aston Martin Vanquish (7494591756) 01.jpg|right|thumb|2012 Aston Martin Vanquish]]

In April 2013, it was reported that Bez would be leaving his role as the chief executive officer to take up a more ambassadorial position.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/ulrich-bez-expected-step-down-boss-aston-martin|title=Ulrich Bez expected to step down as boss of Aston Martin|website=Autocar|date=30 April 2013}}</ref> On 2 September 2014, Aston Martin announced it had appointed the [[Nissan]] executive [[Andy Palmer]] as the new CEO with Bez retaining a position as non-executive chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/aston-martin/aston-martin-appoints-nissans-andy-palmer-as-new-ceo/|title=Aston Martin appoints Nissan's Andy Palmer as new CEO|website=CAR Magazine|date=2 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/nissans-andy-palmer-appointed-ceo-of-aston-martin/|title=Nissan's Andy Palmer Appointed CEO of Aston Martin|website=Motor Trend|date=2 September 2014}}</ref> As sales had been declining from 2015, Aston Martin sought new customers (particularly wealthy female buyers) with introducing concept cars like the DBX SUV along with track focused cars like the [[Aston Martin Vulcan|Vulcan]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Russell |last=Hotten |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-31727799 |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Aston Martin battles to reinvent itself |date=5 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Russell |last=Hotten |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-31710283 |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Aston Martin targets female buyers |date=3 March 2015}}</ref> According to Palmer, the troubles started when sales of the DB9 failed to generate sufficient fund to develop next-generation models which led to a downward spiral of declining sales and profitability.<ref name=autonews04092015/>

Palmer outlined that the company plans to develop two new platforms, add a crossover, refresh its supercar lineup and leverage its technology alliance with Daimler as part of its six-year plan to make the 100-year-old British brand consistently profitable. He stated, "In the first century we went bankrupt seven times. The second century is about making sure that is not the case."<ref name=autonews04092015>{{cite news|last1=Gibbs|first1=Nick|title=Aston CEO calls crossover, Daimler deal keys to revival|url=http://europe.autonews.com/article/20150409/ANE/150409991/aston-ceo-calls-crossover-daimler-deal-keys-to-revival|access-date=9 March 2017|work=The Automotive News|date=9 April 2015}}</ref> In preparation for its next-generation of sports cars, the company invested £20&nbsp;million ($33.4&nbsp;million) to expand its manufacturing plant in Gaydon. The expansion at the Gaydon plant includes a new chassis and pilot build facility, as well as an extension of the parts and logistics storage area, and new offices. In total, Aston Martin will add approximately {{convert|10000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} to the plant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kew |first1=Oliver |title=Aston Martin commits £20m to British factory expansion |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/aston-martin/db9/87193/aston-martin-commits-20m-to-british-factory-expansion |access-date=31 May 2020 |work=Auto Express |date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Udy |first1=Jason |title=Aston Martin Invests $33.4 Million in Gaydon Factory |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/aston-martin-invests-33-4-million-in-gaydon-factory/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |work=Motor Trend |date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Siler |first1=Steve |title=Aston Martin Pours $33.4M into Gaydon Factory in Initial Expansion Phase |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15365095/aston-martin-pours-33-4m-into-gaydon-factory-in-initial-expansion-phase/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |work=Car and Driver |date=30 May 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Trade & Invest Wales - Aston Martin Case Study.webm|280px|thumb|Aston Martin Lagonda Production & Technology Centre St Athan, [[Wales]]]]
In 2014, Aston Martin suffered a pre-tax loss of £72&nbsp;million, almost triple of the amount of 2013 selling 3,500 cars during the year, well below the 7,300 cars sold in 2007 and 4,200 sold in 2013 respectively.<ref name="FT10162015"/> In March 2014, Aston Martin issued "payment in kind" notes of US$165&nbsp;million, at 10.25% interest, in addition to the £304&nbsp;million of senior secured notes at 9.25% issued in 2011.<ref name="FT10162015"/> Aston Martin also had to secure an additional investment of £200&nbsp;million from its shareholders to fund development of new models.<ref name="FT10162015">{{cite news |last1=Sharman |first1=Andy |title=Aston Martin reports near tripling of annual losses |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6402a54a-73f9-11e5-a129-3fcc4f641d98 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/6402a54a-73f9-11e5-a129-3fcc4f641d98 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2017 |work=Financial Times |date=16 October 2015}}</ref> It was reported that Aston Martin's pre-tax losses for 2016 increased by 27% to £162.8&nbsp;million, the sixth year it continued to suffer a loss.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pitas |first1=Costas |title=Aston Martin's losses accelerate, new DB11 brings year-end surge to sales |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-astonmartin-results-idUKKBN1631VP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225024150/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-astonmartin-results-idUKKBN1631VP |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2017 |access-date=25 February 2017 |work=Reuters |date=24 February 2017}}</ref>

In February 2016, the company selected a {{convert|90|acre|ha|adj=on}} site in [[St Athan]], [[South Wales]] for its new factory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/astonmartin-wales/aston-martin-picks-st-athan-site-in-wales-for-new-crossover-car-idUSL2N1622OZ|title=Aston Martin picks St. Athan site in Wales for new crossover car|date=24 February 2016|website=Reuters|access-date=24 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/24/james-bond-carmarker-aston-martin-to-open-wales-factory-for-dbx-model|title=Aston Martin to open Wales factory for new DBX model|date=24 February 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=24 February 2016}}</ref> The Welsh facility was unanimously chosen by Aston's board despite fierce competition from other locations as far afield as the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, as well as other sites in the UK believed to be [[Bridgend]], [[Birmingham]], and [[Coventry]]. The facility featured three existing 'super-hangars' of [[MOD St Athan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-martin-dbx-be-built-wales|title=Aston Martin DBX to be built in Wales|date=23 February 2016|website=Autocar|access-date=23 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/fde72ee1-5f17-318d-b835-36ba5df6408b|title=Aston Martin picks Wales for new manufacturing plant|date=24 February 2016|website=Financial Times|access-date=24 February 2016}}</ref> Construction work of converting the hangars commenced in April 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/141550/aston-martin-dbx-production-plant/|title=Aston Martin DBX SUV Teased As Welsh Super-Factory Gets Started|date=6 April 2017|work=motor1.com|access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> Aston Martin returned to profit in 2017 after selling over 5,000 cars. The company made a pre-tax profit of £87&nbsp;million compared with a £163&nbsp;million loss in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43204733 |title=Aston Martin roars back into the black with £87m profit |website=BBC News |date=26 February 2018}}</ref> 2017 also marked the return of production of the [[Newport Pagnell]] facility ten years after it originally ceased.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/lifestyle/cars/production-returns-aston-martin-site-newport-pagnell-after-10-years-1059430 |title=Production returns to Aston Martin site in Newport Pagnell after 10 years |date=4 January 2018 |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>