Which British sports-car maker did Ford Motor Company acquire in 1987?

Ford Motor Company acquired Aston Martin in 1987. The purchase brought the British luxury sports-car maker into Ford’s expanding portfolio of premium automotive brands.

Aston Martin had been founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The company became known for handcrafted grand tourers and sports cars, while its association with James Bond later gave the brand worldwide popular recognition. Ford’s ownership provided financial and industrial support while Aston Martin retained its distinctive British identity.

Ford eventually made Aston Martin a fully owned subsidiary. It later placed the marque within its Premier Automotive Group, alongside brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo Cars. Ford sold Aston Martin in 2007 to a consortium led by David Richards, although it retained a minority interest for a period.

Aston Martin is distinct from Jaguar, which Ford acquired in 1989, and from Land Rover, which Ford acquired in 2000. Those separate transactions are frequent sources of confusion.