Dave Richards, the boss of one of Aston Martin’s biggest investors, Prodrive, has quelled speculation that the British carmaker could be up for sale once again following reports earlier this month claiming Kuwaiti-based investment firm Investment Dar would sell its 50% stake in the company. Speaking at the Nürburgring 24-hour race last weekend, Richards said the speculation arose from previous rumors that suggested Aston Martin was in talks with Mercedes-Benz over an engine-sharing deal.

Richards has now revealed that talks with other companies are always taking place over engine deals but there are no plans for a sale. Aston Martin currently sources its engines from within Ford’s Cologne production facility and is guaranteed supply up until 2012. After that, Aston Martin could potentially extend its current arrangement or look for a new partner, reports AutoWeek.

In March, it was reported that Aston Martin was considering borrowing smaller V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz and possibly hybrid powertrains as well to help meet new emissions regulations and environmental concerns. Richards confirmed there were talks with Mercedes-Benz but explained that it was just one option being investigated.

Aston’s N24 V8 Vantage race car, meanwhile, stunned crowds at the Nürburgring 24-hour event, taking home the first three places in its class.