The race for Ford Motor Co.'s ultra-luxe badge, Aston Martin, is nearing a close, and unfortunately, couture-related bidders may be out in the cold.
London's Sunday Times reported that UBS has wittled a list of more than 30 down to four contenders. In the process, former Ford CEO Jacques Nasser and rival bidders Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère were knocked out of contention. Dealscape had first suggested Arnault and Frere's group would have the best insight into how to revitalize the brand because of Arnault's experience managing LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA.
Unfortunately, only one of the four remaining bidders has revealed himself: Syrian-born billionaire Simon Halabi, who reportedly offered £600 million ($1.18 billion) for the Bond-linked brand. Regular readers of The Deal may recognize Halabi's name because he recently acquired European health club chain Esporta Group Ltd. from British private equity firm Duke Street Capital. —Matthew Wurtzel
See story from The Sunday Times
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See story about Esporta from The Deal
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