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Daniel Craig's personal James Bond Aston Martin is for sale

LOS ANGELES — James Bond is parting with his personal Aston Martin. Actor Daniel Craig, who has played the British spy known as 007 in four films, is auctioning for charity the limited-edition vehicle made for him by Aston Martin four years ago, Christie's auction house said on Thursday. Aston Martin cars have appeared in Bond films over nearly 50 years, beginning with 1964's "Goldfinger" in which Sean Connery drove a silver Aston Martin DB5. The brand has appeared in all four Bond films starring Craig. Craig's personal car is a 2014 Vanquish that Aston Martin produced just 100 examples of to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Craig's vehicle is, naturally, number 007. "It was an homage, really, to his career," Becky MacGuire, director of Christie's' The Exceptional Sale, said in an interview. "What he's brought to the Bond character has been so appreciated by the company and, of course, zillions of fans." The vehicle has a midnight blue exterior and dark blue luxury leather interior chosen because of Craig's preference for denim and dark colors, Christie's said. Proceeds from the sale will benefit New York-based charity The Opportunity Network, which helps students from disadvantaged communities achieve their college and career goals. Craig and his wife, actress Rachel Weisz, both sit on the organization's board of directors. The car's value is estimated at $400,000 to $600,000. It will be displayed at Christie's showroom in Los Angeles from Feb. 27 to March 3 before moving to New York, where it will be auctioned on April 20 as part of Christie's annual decorative arts masterpiece sale called The Exceptional Sale. Last year, Craig said he will reprise the role of James Bond one last time. The film is expected to be released in U.S. cinemas on Nov. 8, 2019.Reporting by Nichola Groom Related Video:

Aston Martin stock price shaken and stirred by latest weak outlook

Aston Martin warned its 2019 profits would almost be cut in half due to weak European markets, sending its shares sharply lower as rivals Bentley and Rolls-Royce powered ahead. Tuesday's downgrade is the latest from the British luxury carmaker, whose shares have now plunged about three quarters in value since their 2018 listing. The 107-year-old firm, famed for being fictional agent James Bond's brand of choice, cut its forecast for wholesale volumes and profit margins in July, and reduced its volume forecast again in November. It has blamed weak UK and European markets and subdued demand for its Vantage model and said on Tuesday those conditions continued through December, leading to a 7% drop in wholesale volumes for 2019. "From a trading perspective, 2019 has been a very disappointing year," Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer said, as the company's shares plunged as much as 16%. While Aston spent 2019 ploughing money into a new factory to build its first SUV, the highly lucrative market a number of carmakers have entered, rivals such as BMW-owned Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen-owned Bentley appear one step ahead. Bentley on Tuesday said its Bentayga SUV boosted the brand's performance in 2019 as it returned to profitability, while Rolls-Royce's Cullinan helped drive a 25% increase in sales to an all-time high of 5,152 vehicles. "Cullinan has proven to be an outstanding hot seller for the brand," Chief Executive Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes told Reuters. "We are sitting now on an order bank reaching even far into 2020." Aston hopes its first SUV, the DBX, will emulate this success and revive its fortunes next year. About 1,800 orders have been booked since its launch in November, the company said. "The order rate is materially better than any other car that we have ever launched before," Palmer told Reuters. For 2019, Aston expects adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 130-140 million pounds ($171 million to $184 million). The company reported 247.3 million pounds in core profit a year earlier, while analysts' average forecast was 196 million pounds for 2019, according to a company-compiled consensus. Aston said it was also in talks with investors for a potential equity investment and would draw down $100 million in bond notes. Its shares, which have lost nearly 3 billion pounds in market value since their listing, were down 11.1% to 464.8 pence at 1136 GMT.  

Aston Martin announces $306M in funding to build DBX, 'other new luxury vehicles'

Aston Martin has just gotten one step closer to building a crossover, as the British outfit has secured a 200-million-pound (about $306 million at today's rates) infusion of capital from its leading shareholders. The money will allow Aston Martin to develop "a new vehicle based on the DBX concept," although just how closely the production model will adhere to the concept's styling is unclear. Andy Palmer, the company's CEO, also hinted at other models being added, thanks to the funds. "This additional long-term funding, will enable us to add extra model lines and broaden our presence in the luxury market segment by the end of the decade. The DBX concept has generated interest far beyond our expectations," Palmer said in the attached statement. "The additional investment announced today will allow us to realize the DBX and other new luxury vehicles that will form the strongest and most diverse portfolio in our history." It's unclear what these "other new luxury vehicles" will include. Previous reports have indicated a Lagonda-badged replacement for the aging Rapide will be added to the range, although considering the age of the rest of Aston Martin's lineup, it's a safe bet that at least some of this money will also be put towards vehicles beyond the new CUV and sedan. Scroll down for the full press release from Aston Martin. Related Video: ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA ISSUES GBP200 MILLION FUNDING FOR PRODUCT EXPANSION • Investindustrial and Tejara Capital led a further GBP200 million in investment capital in the form of preference shares • Enables production of DBX luxury crossover, building on range of iconic luxury sports cars • FY 2014 revenues of GBP468 million and adjusted EBITDA of GBP66 million announced 30 April 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin Lagonda today announced that with the leadership of its major shareholders, it has arranged additional committed funding of GBP200 million, enabling the 102-year old luxury sports car manufacturer to develop significant new luxury models that will drive the future of the company under its strategic business plan. The additional capital investment comes in the form of GBP200 million of preference shares; GBP100 million of which were issued on 29 April 2015 with the remaining GBP100 million – already subscribed for - to be issued in the next twelve months, and will further expand the previously announced investment plan. This major investment in new luxury models is at the core of Aston Martin's strategic vision.