Aston Martin has quietly sold a majority stake in its non-automotive branding to secure a crucial rescue loan.
The move has now triggered threats of legal action from a group of bondholders.
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The automaker secured £550 million ($740 million) in debt financing last month through credit firm HPS, which is owned by BlackRock.
As part of the deal, Aston Martin will transfer 50.1 percent of its non-automotive intellectual property to Authentic Brands, a US-based platform specializing in sports, media, entertainment, and lifestyle.
Details of the agreement were scarce when initially announced, but unnamed sources have since revealed the branding sale.
The deal includes a £450 million ($605 million) secured term loan and a potential £100 million ($134 million) delayed draw term loan, the latter conditional on the branding rights transaction.
Bondholders Cry Foul
According to the Financial Times, a group of bondholders sent a letter to Aston Martin's board over the weekend, warning of potential legal action.
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They argue that the new financing deal has moved assets out of their collateral pool and that they were denied the chance to provide alternative financing.
The bondholders believe the HPS deal breaches the terms of their existing lending agreement.
This is not the first time Aston Martin has sold naming rights for cash; earlier this year, it raised £50 million ($67 million) by selling the rights to use its name to the Aston Martin Formula 1 team.
Aston Martin has declined to comment on the prospect of legal action.
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However, after the HPS deal was announced, the company's chief financial officer described it as “important for the company as a whole.”
