Aston Martin exec plans bid for company

The chief executive of Aston Martin, Ulrich Bez, is understood to be planning a management buyout of the British sports-car marque.

Aston Martin was put on the market last week by Ford, the American automotive giant. Senior sources at Ford said a consortium led by Bez was likely to bid, and they also expected an offer from a US private-equity group fronted by Jac Nasser, a former Ford chief executive.

Analysts also believe a wild-card bid, perhaps from a Russian oligarch eager to capture a trophy asset, cannot be ruled out. Ford has hired UBS, the investment bank, to conduct the sale.

Bez yesterday refused to confirm his interest in fronting a bid. “I am not going to comment at the moment on what are the strategic options," he said. More at London Times