Aston Martin to go public: Iconic car firm set for £5bn listing on London Stock Exchange

The luxury car maker – made world famous by fictional spy James Bond – will announce its plans alongside its interim results tomorrow.

The formal launch of Aston Martin’s initial public offering (IPO) will involve the sale of approximately £1bn of shares in the company.

Following months of speculation, the iconic firm is poised to issue an ‘intention to float’ statement as early as next week.

This would allow shares in Aston Martin to then begin trading publicly by the autumn.

Sources said the company, currently owned by Italian and Kuwaiti shareholders, would be seeking a valuation of around £5bn.

The move would be a major test of investor appetite as Britain prepares to leave the EU next march.

Aston Martin’s CEO Andy Palmer recently played down fears about the impact of Brexit on exports to the EU.

He told Bloomberg: “It’s the non-tariff issues that are the bigger concern, particularly anything that brings friction to the supply chain.”

The IPO is expected to include a special component offering stock to Aston Martin customers, according to insiders.

Earlier this year it was reported that Aston Martin planned to hire Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan to help plan for an IPO.

Speaking to Sky News today, a spokesman for Aston Martin declined to comment on what it called “continued speculation”.

The car maker, whose sports cars regularly feature in James Bond films, is one of Britain’s best-known brands. 

Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, drove an Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 after their Royal Wedding in 2011.