JAMES PACKER has reportedly joined a consortium prepared to buy the British car company Aston Martin for about £600 million ($1.485 billion).
Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported the Aston Martin-driving Mr Packer was part of an Australian consortium of “industrial and financial investors” shortlisted with three other potential buyers, citing unnamed sources.
The paper said the former chief executive of Ford, the Australian Jac Nasser, had been knocked out of the running.
Mr Packer's reported interest in Aston Martin follows his recent purchase of a $38 million apartment in Mayfair, London.
But his interest in the marque surprised business and car-dealing circles yesterday, marking a significant departure from his major business interests in media, gaming and financial services.
The Herald was unable to confirm Mr Packer's interest through Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd.
“I would be very surprised to think that he would be involved,” said Neville Crichton, the BRW rich-lister who imports Ferraris, Maseratis and Alfa Romeos through his company Ateco. “I think it's making a little bit of money with Ford, but historically it's lost a fortune.”
