From 1994 until 2007 Aston Martin was part of the Ford Motor Company, becoming part of the company's Premier Automotive Group in 2000. On 12 March 2007, it was purchased for £479 million by a joint venture company, headed by David Richards and co-owned by Investment Dar and businessman John Sinders. Ford retained a US$77 million stake in Aston Martin, valuing the company at US$925 million.