Aston Martin is majority influenced by Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Consortium, though the company is publicly traded and also counts Mercedes Benz Group, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and Chinese automaker Geely among its major shareholders.
No single owner fully controls Aston Martin, since it has listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2018 and answers to a board representing several large investors.
The company that built James Bond’s most famous cars has passed through more than a dozen owners since 1913, and the current ownership structure is one of its most complex yet.
This guide breaks down exactly who owns Aston Martin today, how Lawrence Stroll took control, what Mercedes Benz gets from its stake, and where the brand stands financially in 2026.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Aston Martin?
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker AML, part of the FTSE 250 index.
The largest shareholder is the Yew Tree Consortium, an investment group led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, holding roughly 33 percent of shares as of early 2025.
Chinese automaker Geely holds about 17 percent, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds around 16.7 percent, and Mercedes Benz Group holds approximately 9.7 percent.
The remaining shares trade freely on the open market, meaning thousands of individual and institutional investors also own small pieces of the company.
Stroll serves as Executive Chairman and has repeatedly injected additional personal capital into the company, including a further £52.5 million commitment through Yew Tree in 2026.
| Company Overview | Details |
| Company name | Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc |
| Founded | January 15, 1913, London |
| Headquarters | Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom |
| Largest shareholder | Yew Tree Consortium (Lawrence Stroll), about 33 percent |
| Other major shareholders | Geely, Saudi PIF, Mercedes Benz Group |
| CEO | Adrian Hallmark, since October 2024 |
| Executive Chairman | Lawrence Stroll |
| Stock ticker | AML, London Stock Exchange |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Employees | About 3,000 |
| Official Website | astonmartin.com |
When Was Aston Martin Founded?
Aston Martin was founded on January 15, 1913, in London by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, who combined Martin’s racing success at Aston Clinton hillclimb with Bamford’s engineering shop.
The company built its first car in 1915, though World War I interrupted early production and forced the founders to pause operations for several years.
Aston Martin struggled financially for decades, changing owners repeatedly through the 1920s and 1930s as successive investors tried and failed to make the small sports car maker profitable.
Industrialist David Brown bought the company in 1947, and his initials gave rise to the famous DB model naming convention still used today, including the modern DB12.
Under Brown’s ownership through the 1950s and 1960s, Aston Martin built its motorsport reputation and became forever linked with the James Bond film franchise starting with Goldfinger in 1964.
The Ford and Investment Dar Years
Ford Motor Company took a stake in Aston Martin in 1987 and acquired full ownership in 1994, folding the brand into its Premier Automotive Group alongside Jaguar and Volvo.
Ford invested heavily in modernizing Aston Martin’s factory and engineering, producing the DB7 and later the DB9, which helped stabilize the brand’s finances.
As Ford faced its own financial pressure in 2007, it sold Aston Martin to a consortium led by British businessman David Richards and backed by Kuwaiti investment firms Investment Dar and Adeem Investment.
That consortium retained a minority Ford stake briefly before Ford exited entirely, and Aston Martin operated as a private company for the following decade.
In 2013, Daimler AG, the parent of Mercedes Benz, took an initial stake of about five percent in exchange for sharing engine and electronic architecture technology.
The 2018 IPO and Lawrence Stroll’s Takeover
Aston Martin went public on the London Stock Exchange in October 2018, raising capital to fund new models and expand into SUVs with the DBX.
The IPO did not go smoothly. Shares fell sharply in the following two years as the company struggled with debt, weak SUV sales timing, and pandemic disruption.
In January 2020, a consortium called Yew Tree, led by Formula One team owner and billionaire Lawrence Stroll, injected roughly £182 million and took a controlling interest.
Stroll became Executive Chairman and brought in his own leadership team, along with additional capital from Mercedes Benz, which expanded its technology partnership and equity stake at the same time.
Since 2020, Yew Tree has repeatedly returned with fresh capital injections whenever Aston Martin needed additional liquidity, reinforcing Stroll’s position as the company’s dominant strategic investor.
Lawrence Stroll, About 33 Percent
About 17 Percent
About 16.7 Percent
About 9.7 Percent
Remaining Free Float on LSE AML
Aston Martin Ownership Timeline
Aston Martin’s ownership history spans more than a century and includes several near collapses before the brand reached its current structure.
Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford establish Aston Martin in London.
Industrialist David Brown buys the company, inspiring the DB model naming convention.
Ford Motor Company takes complete control under its Premier Automotive Group.
A consortium led by David Richards and Kuwaiti investors buys Aston Martin from Ford.
Daimler, parent of Mercedes Benz, takes an initial equity stake and technology partnership.
Aston Martin lists on the London Stock Exchange under ticker AML.
Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Consortium becomes the largest shareholder and Stroll becomes Executive Chairman.
Former Bentley chief Adrian Hallmark takes over as Chief Executive on October 1.
What Does Mercedes Benz Get From Its Stake?
Mercedes Benz does not manufacture Aston Martin vehicles, but it supplies critical technology under a long running partnership agreement.
Current Aston Martin models use Mercedes AMG sourced V8 engines, along with Mercedes infotainment systems and electronic architecture.
In exchange for this technology sharing, Mercedes Benz Group holds its equity stake and has periodically increased it through additional share purchases.
This arrangement gives Aston Martin access to proven engineering it could not affordably develop alone, while Mercedes Benz gains a financial and strategic foothold in ultra luxury sports cars.
Where Are Aston Martins Made?
Nearly all Aston Martin road cars are hand assembled at the company’s headquarters and main plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England.
A second facility in St Athan, Wales, opened specifically to build the DBX SUV, Aston Martin’s first entry into the SUV segment.
The ultra limited Valkyrie hypercar, developed with input from Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey, is assembled in small batches at a specialist facility rather than a high volume line.
Every Aston Martin remains built in the United Kingdom, a point the company markets heavily as part of its heritage and craftsmanship story.
What Is Aston Martin’s Financial Situation in 2026?
Aston Martin has struggled with profitability for years despite strong brand recognition and high demand for its limited production models.
For the 2025 financial year the company reported a net loss of roughly £493 million, alongside continued debt reduction efforts led by Stroll and the board.
Management has responded with cost cutting, reduced planned output of certain models, and repeated capital raises from existing shareholders rather than new debt.
Stroll has publicly floated the idea of eventually taking Aston Martin private again if public market pressure continues to outweigh the benefits of a stock listing.
Is Aston Martin Really Worth the Investment?
Aston Martin delivers exceptional design, exclusivity, and driving experience, though owner feedback and trade press coverage flag real reliability and running cost concerns.
Owner review sites consistently mention strong emotional satisfaction with the driving experience, paired with higher than average maintenance bills typical of low volume exotic manufacturers.
Independent consumer reliability surveys rarely cover Aston Martin due to its small sales volume, so most buyers rely on specialist dealer networks and enthusiast forums for dependability insight instead.
- Distinctive hand built design and British craftsmanship
- Strong Mercedes AMG sourced engine performance
- High exclusivity due to low annual production volume
- Strong brand heritage tied to motorsport and film history
- Higher than average maintenance and parts costs
- Company has reported recurring annual net losses
- Limited independent reliability data due to low sales volume
- Resale values can fluctuate more than mainstream luxury brands
How Aston Martin Compares to Other British Luxury Brands
Aston Martin competes closely with other historic British marques that also passed through multiple owners before reaching their current structures.
Jaguar shares part of Aston Martin’s Ford ownership history, having also been part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group before later changing hands.
Bentley operates in a similar ultra luxury segment but under the stability of full Volkswagen Group ownership rather than public markets.
Aston Martin remains the only major British sports car brand still listed as an independent public company rather than a subsidiary of a larger automaker.
Where to Verify the Aston Martin Ownership Story
These sources provide additional detail on Aston Martin’s ownership history and current financial position.
Wikipedia’s Aston Martin entry covers the company’s founding, ownership changes, and current shareholder structure.
NBC News reporting on Lawrence Stroll’s continued investment details the ongoing capital injections keeping the company funded.
Aston Martin publishes its investor relations reports and current model lineup on its official website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aston Martin
Does Mercedes own Aston Martin?
No. Mercedes Benz Group holds a minority equity stake of about 9.7 percent and supplies engine technology, but Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Consortium remains the largest shareholder.
Who is the current CEO of Aston Martin?
Adrian Hallmark has served as Chief Executive Officer since October 1, 2024, after previously leading Bentley Motors.
Is Aston Martin still a British company?
Yes. Aston Martin is headquartered in Gaydon, England, and every road car is built in the United Kingdom, even though its shareholders include international investors.
Is Aston Martin profitable?
Not currently. The company reported a net loss of roughly £493 million for the 2025 financial year and continues to rely on shareholder capital injections.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.