Who Owns Aston Martin? A Simple Guide to the British Icon's Ownership

Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll controls Aston Martin through a 24.56% stake he acquired in 2020, serving as Executive Chairman of the legendary British luxury car manufacturer. Since its founding in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin has changed hands multiple times, creating today's complex ownership landscape.

The ownership structure extends far beyond Stroll's leadership. As a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc operates with several major shareholders controlling 85.49% of the company.

The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund holds 18.04%, making it the second-largest stakeholder in the brand that's produced James Bond's vehicles since the DB5 appeared in "Goldfinger."

This guide examines Aston Martin's complete ownership picture—from its historical transformations to its current shareholder structure. We'll explore where these vehicles are manufactured, including the Gaydon plant in England where each car requires approximately 200 man-hours to produce. We also analyze what lies ahead for this luxury brand as it balances British heritage with global investment.

Current Aston Martin ownership structure

Lawrence Stroll's consortium controls Aston Martin through Yew Tree Overseas Limited, with their stake reaching 28.29% by December 2022. This makes them the largest single stakeholder in the British luxury car manufacturer, though the complete ownership picture involves multiple international players.

Who controls Aston Martin today?

Lawrence Stroll operates as Executive Chairman while holding 27.67% of voting rights as of November 2024. The billionaire built his fortune through licensing luxury fashion brands including Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger before entering automotive investments.

His initial £182 million investment in January 2020 secured 16.7% of the company, which he expanded to 25% by March 2020 and has continued building through subsequent rounds.

Major stakeholder breakdown

The ownership structure extends across four key investors who collectively control significant influence:

Public Investment Fund (PIF) commands 20.5% as Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. Their investment came through a £78 million equity placing plus a £575 million rights issue, establishing them as the second-largest shareholder.

Geely Automotive represents Chinese automotive interests with a 17% stake as of May 2023. The company, led by Li Shufu, initially acquired 7.6% in September 2022 before substantially increasing their position to become the third-largest shareholder.

Mercedes-Benz Group maintains 9.7% while providing technical partnership for hybrid and electric drivetrain development. The German automaker has announced plans to expand their holding from 5% to 20% "in stages".

Ernesto Bertarelli rounds out the major shareholders with approximately 14.93% through his Swiss business interests.

Public listing and corporate structure

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc trades on the London Stock Exchange under ticker "AML". The corporate structure traces back to 1947 when Sir David Brown merged Aston Martin with Lagonda, creating the foundation for today's combined entity.

The October 2018 public offering opened ownership to institutional, private, and retail investors. Recent profit warnings in September and November 2024 highlight ongoing challenges from delivery delays and reduced Chinese demand, though strategic partnerships continue advancing.

The June 2023 agreement with Lucid Motors for electric powertrains represents one such forward-looking initiative despite near-term headwinds.

How Aston Martin's ownership evolved over time

Over more than a century, Aston Martin's ownership has shifted through multiple hands, each transition shaping the brand's identity and market position. These ownership changes tell the story of a small British startup that survived financial crises, world wars, and industry upheavals to become a global luxury icon.

From Bamford & Martin to Aston Martin Motors

Financial turbulence marked Aston Martin's early years after Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford established Bamford & Martin Ltd. Count Louis Zborowski rescued the struggling company in 1920 following World War I difficulties.

Bankruptcy struck again in 1924, prompting Lady Charnwood to step in as the next savior. The company finally found stability in 1926 when Augustus Bertelli and Bill Renwick took control, transforming it into Aston Martin Motors.

David Brown's golden era

A simple newspaper advertisement in The Times changed everything in 1947. Industrialist David Brown spotted the ad and purchased Aston Martin for £20,500, launching what many consider the brand's golden age.

The iconic "DB" series emerged under Brown's stewardship—most notably the DB5 that would define James Bond's automotive identity. Despite this success, financial pressures forced Brown to sell after 25 years to Company Developments Ltd in 1972.

Ford's corporate stewardship

Following several ownership changes throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ford Motor Company acquired a 75% stake in 1987, eventually taking full control in 1994. Ford's substantial resources enabled manufacturing modernization and new model development, including the successful DB7.

However, the 2007 global economic crisis prompted Ford to divest, selling Aston Martin for £479 million to a consortium led by Prodrive chairman David Richards.

Recent strategic partnerships

The period between 2007 and 2020 brought increasing ownership complexity. Investment Dar of Kuwait and Italian private equity firm Investindustrial both acquired significant stakes during this era.

The current ownership structure began taking shape in 2020 when Lawrence Stroll led his £182 million investment. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Chinese automaker Geely, and Mercedes-Benz followed with substantial shareholdings, creating today's diverse international consortium.

Where Aston Martins are built and why it matters

Three British facilities define Aston Martin's manufacturing heritage, each representing a different chapter in the company's evolution. These locations reflect more than production capacity—they embody the craftsmanship philosophy that current ownership continues to support.

Gaydon, England: the main production site

Aston Martin's 55-acre Gaydon facility in Warwickshire opened in 2003 as the company's first purpose-built factory in its 90-year history. This state-of-the-art headquarters merges cutting-edge technology with traditional hand-craftsmanship.

Each Vanquish, DB9, Rapide S, V12 Vantage S, and V8 Vantage requires approximately 200 man-hours to complete at Gaydon. Skilled technicians hand-build each vehicle through a series of work stations, prioritizing quality over speed. The facility also houses the Gaydon Design Studio, creating seamless integration between design, engineering, and production processes.

St. Athan, Wales: SUV manufacturing

The 90-acre St. Athan plant in South Wales specializes in producing Aston Martin's first SUV, the DBX. Converted from three former Royal Air Force super-hangars, this facility began production in 2020 and generated up to 750 jobs at peak output.

Aston Martin announced the St. Athan plant as its second UK manufacturing location in early 2016. The initial Welsh workforce trained at Gaydon building DB11s before returning to St. Athan to train new employees. Currently, around 90% of production from this facility exports overseas.

Newport Pagnell: heritage and restoration

The historic 3.6-acre Newport Pagnell facility in Buckinghamshire preserves Aston Martin's legacy. Sir David Brown relocated Aston Martin to this location in 1955, where iconic models like the DB5—James Bond's famous vehicle—were manufactured.

Although main production moved to Gaydon in 2007, Newport Pagnell operates as the Aston Martin Works classic car department, handling heritage sales, service, spares, and restoration. This facility maintains the artisan skills that have defined Aston Martin throughout its history, preserving a connection to the brand's past as ownership and manufacturing continue to evolve.

What the future holds for Aston Martin

Aston Martin's next chapter focuses on electrification, strategic partnerships, and balancing heritage preservation with innovation. The diverse ownership consortium is driving significant transformation across the luxury automaker's operations.

Electric vehicle plans and Lucid partnership

A $450 million partnership with American EV technology company Lucid Motors forms the cornerstone of Aston Martin's electric strategy. Announced in 2023, this alliance provides access to Lucid's electric powertrain technology, including ultra-high performance twin motor drive units and advanced battery systems.

The timeline for Aston Martin's first all-electric vehicle has shifted from 2025 to 2026, reflecting careful planning for the transition. The Valhalla, the company's first plug-in hybrid supercar, arrives in 2024. All new model lines will offer electrified powertrain options by 2026, with full electrification of the core range targeted for 2030.

Geely's growing influence

Chinese automotive giant Geely has positioned itself as a major force in Aston Martin's future. The company increased its shareholding to approximately 17% in 2023, becoming the third-largest shareholder and securing the right to appoint a Non-Executive Director to the Board.

This investment provides Aston Martin with access to the Chinese market and Geely's technological resources. Geely Chairman Eric Li described their investment as reflecting "confidence in the company's growth prospects, its technologies and its management team". Current agreements prevent Geely from exceeding a 22% stake before August 2024 without making a board-endorsed formal offer.

How ownership impacts innovation and design

The ownership consortium is investing over £2 billion in advanced technologies over five years, supporting Aston Martin's "Racing. Green." sustainability strategy. This funding will develop a bespoke modular battery electric vehicle platform for all future electrified models, from hypercars to SUVs.

Lawrence Stroll's leadership as Executive Chairman has been crucial in establishing technological partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Lucid, and Geely. This ownership structure creates distinct advantages: Lucid provides technical innovation, Geely offers market access, and Mercedes supplies interim hybrid technologies.

Takeaways

The diverse ownership structure positions Aston Martin for electric transformation while maintaining British craftsmanship values. Strategic partnerships provide technological capabilities and market access that individual ownership couldn't achieve.

Aston Martin's ownership reflects a British icon's global evolution

Lawrence Stroll's leadership of Aston Martin demonstrates how international investment can preserve British automotive heritage while driving innovation. His 28% stake, combined with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Geely Automotive, and Mercedes-Benz Group, creates a ownership structure that balances tradition with transformation.

This ownership journey spans over a century of adaptation. From Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford's original vision through David Brown's DB series legacy and Ford's modernization efforts, Aston Martin has consistently evolved while maintaining its distinctive character. The current consortium brings complementary strengths: Stroll's strategic vision, Saudi financial resources, Geely's market expertise, and Mercedes' technical capabilities.

British manufacturing remains central to Aston Martin's identity. The Gaydon headquarters exemplifies this commitment through its blend of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship, while St. Athan expands production capabilities and Newport Pagnell preserves restoration expertise. These facilities reflect ownership priorities that honor British engineering heritage despite global investment sources.

The path forward balances significant opportunities with persistent challenges. Lucid Motors partnership positions Aston Martin for electrification without sacrificing performance DNA, while Geely's influence opens crucial market access. The £2 billion technology investment signals genuine long-term commitment beyond short-term financial pressures.

Aston Martin embodies more than luxury vehicle production—it represents British engineering excellence that has survived multiple ownership transitions while preserving its core identity. From James Bond's DB5 to upcoming electric powertrains, the brand continues honoring its founding vision while adapting to contemporary demands under diverse international ownership.

FAQs

Q1. Who is the current owner of Aston Martin?

Aston Martin is owned by a consortium of investors led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who serves as the Executive Chairman. Other major shareholders include the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Geely Automotive, and Mercedes-Benz Group.

Q2. How has Aston Martin's ownership changed over time?

Aston Martin has changed hands multiple times since its founding in 1913. Notable owners include David Brown in the 1940s-70s, Ford Motor Company from 1987 to 2007, and various investment groups thereafter. The current ownership structure, led by Lawrence Stroll, was established in 2020.

Q3. Where are Aston Martin cars manufactured?

Aston Martin cars are primarily built in three locations in the UK. The main production site is in Gaydon, England, while SUVs are manufactured in St. Athan, Wales. The historic Newport Pagnell facility now focuses on heritage and restoration work.

Q4. What are Aston Martin's plans for electric vehicles?

Aston Martin has partnered with Lucid Motors to develop electric powertrains. The company plans to introduce its first all-electric vehicle by 2026 and aims to offer electrified options for all new model lines by that year, with a goal to fully electrify its core range by 2030.

Q5. How does Aston Martin's ownership structure impact its future?

The diverse ownership structure provides Aston Martin with unique advantages. It combines Lawrence Stroll's leadership, Saudi financial backing, Geely's market access, and Mercedes' technical expertise. This has enabled significant investments in advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, positioning the company for innovation while maintaining its British heritage.