Aston Martin - Opportunities and Threats Under New Ownership

  The mammoth news this week for Aston Martin fans is that the luxury sports car world spirit made famous by James Bond 007 is heading back into British hands.

 Ford announced that they have attentive the company to a UK - led group fronted by Dave Richards - boss of respected motorsport specialist Prodrive - for £479 million.

 The American car gargantuan has had a big stake in Aston Martin owing to 1987, buying the occupation outright in 1994 and overseeing a period of unprecedented sales success. Under Ford ' s ownership, the company developed a number of important new models and reported document sales of 7, 000 cars in 2006.

 But with the onset of Ford ' s monetary troubles, the group obstinate to sell the luxury marque. Ford missed more than $12bn in 2006, and faces huge restructuring costs. However the group has still held on to a £40 million slice of the affair.

 The sportscar specialist leave press on at its purpose - built workshop in Gaydon ( Warwickshire ), where 1, 800 people are employed.

 Prodrive success

 Under the leadership of Dave Richards, Prodrive has built a hard-won reputation in motorsport, lanky the Aston Martin racing team in the sports car series around the world considering well now the highly - successful Subaru sway team.

 Dave Richards also managed the BAR Formula One troupe from 2002 to 2004, taking the team from eighth to second in the manufacturers world championship in that period, before Honda took a greater role and BAR crew was rebranded. Richards was besides a leading figure in the Benetton F1 band in the slow 90s.

 Most interestingly for motorsport fans, Prodrive owns a slot to enter the 2008 F1 Earth Championship. But the consortium has called ' unfounded ' speculation that Prodrive may now brand its F1 cars Aston Martin.

 Besides in the consortium with Dave Richards is finance and shipping investor John Sinders and two Kuwaiti investment companies.

 Mr Richards reassured Aston Martin fans that the new owners were committed to the company deep term and would not symbolize inquiry a quick turnaround like many singular equity groups do.

 Exciting future

 Due to trim as the potential for an Aston Martin solidity in F1 racing to console fans, the new owners of the house hold announced plans to act up production by more than a quarter in the next three years.

 Growth will be dogged by the set up of two new models - the DBS, as seen in latest James Bond Casino Royale, and the four - door Rapide - taking the marque ' s range to seven cars.

 At least 200 other tandem are expected to sell for taken on at an expanded Warwickshire plant as a result.

 Questions maiden

 But looking further numero uno, the biggest question facing the new owners is, without the relief of a well - funded major car troop enjoyed by many of Aston Martin ' s foremost rivals, whether they leave have enough almighty dollar to spend on developin