Aston Martin Bondholders Go to Court Over £450M Loan That Moved Its Brand Rights

Two US investment firms have asked a New York court to compel disclosure over the £450 million loan that shifted most of Aston Martin's brand rights to an outside owner.

Arini Capital Management and Tresidor Investment Management want documents from the lenders and their advisers. The Aston Martin bondholders are preparing a separate claim in London.

Why Aston Martin Bondholders Want the Documents

Aston Martin borrowed £450 million ($606 million) in July from a group led by HPS Investment Partners, one of the largest private credit lenders. An arm of Authentic Brands Group, the licensing house behind Reebok, lent alongside it.

A further £100 million carries one condition. Authentic Brands must take a 50.1% stake in the unit that holds the carmaker's non-automotive brand rights. No price for that stake has appeared publicly.

Those rights cover licensing, merchandise, and lifestyle products. Moreover, they earn money while the car business loses it. Therefore, the creditors argue the deal pushed value beyond their reach.

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