Ford Motor Co.’s Aston Martin, which has its U.S. base in Irvine, could sell for more than $1.2 billion, according to a report out of London over the weekend.
Simon Halabi, a Syrian-born billionaire who recently bought the Esporta, a British fitness-club chain, has emerged as a surprise bidder on the short list, according to the The Sunday Times of London.
Several other possible bidders, including former Ford boss Jac Nasser, and Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere, two of Europe’s most prominent billionaires, are no longer in the running for the British sportscar brand.
Ford said in August that it was putting Aston Martin up for sale.
Aston Martin is part of Irvine-based Premier Automotive Group, which also includes Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. The Irvine operation reports to the worldwide headquarters in London.
