Aston Martin is a British luxury automobile manufacturer founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The company is known for producing high-performance luxury sports cars and grand tourers. The brand's name was derived from the Aston Hill climb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire, where Lionel Martin competed in motorsport events. Aston Martin initially focused on building racing cars, which led to early success in motorsport, but the company soon shifted its focus toward road cars, gaining a reputation for combining performance with refined craftsmanship.
The company's early years were financially turbulent, and it faced several ownership changes throughout its history. During the 1950s and 1960s, Aston Martin cemented its reputation for luxury and performance, particularly with the introduction of the DB series, named after David Brown, who acquired the company in 1947. The DB5, launched in 1963, became iconic after its appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger, enhancing Aston Martin's global profile. Aston Martin continued to build on its legacy with a range of hand-built, high-performance vehicles that catered to an elite clientele.
Throughout the late 20th century, Aston Martin struggled with financial stability, resulting in multiple ownership changes, including a significant period under Ford Motor Company ownership from 1987 to 2007. In 2007, Aston Martin was sold to a consortium led by Prodrive founder David Richards. Under this ownership, the company continued to expand its model range, including the introduction of new variants of the DB series and the Vantage, another cornerstone of the brand.
In 2018, Lawrence Stroll, a Canadian billionaire, became a major investor in the company and later took control. Under his leadership, Aston Martin has been expanding its presence in the Formula One racing world, re-entering the sport with its own team in 2021 after an initial absence since the 1960s. This was followed by significant investment in developing the Valkyrie hypercar and other models aimed at reinforcing the brand's performance credentials.
Aston Martin's headquarters and production facility are based in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England, where its range of vehicles continues to be developed and manufactured. The company has also focused on expanding its global presence, with showrooms and dealerships across major markets worldwide.