Aston Martin has opened its new car factory in Wales, which will create up to 750 jobs once the plant reaches full capacity.
The new production facility in St Athan, South Wales, joins the brand’s Gaydon factory and will be the manufacturing home of the recently unveiled DBX SUV, which has been eagerly awaited for some years.
The DBX will go into full production during the second half of 2020, and by that time 600 new jobs will have been created, which will rise to 750 once peak production is met.
Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said: “Opening our new manufacturing facility at St Athan today is a pivotal day for Aston Martin and a vote of confidence in the UK, with the facility projected to employ up to 750 highly-skilled workers at its peak.
“St Athan is a critical step in delivering our new car, DBX, which will be built in the new facility. The opening of St Athan is a hugely important milestone in the company’s growth plan and integral to our ambitions as a global luxury brand with a presence in all major sectors of the market.”
Aston Martin acquired the former 90-acre RAF base in 2016 and since then it has undergone a major refurbishment work to prepare the plant for the DBX.
More than 90 per cent of DBXs are set to be exported overseas, as the £158,800 starting price means the brand’s first SUV is set to be ultra-exclusive in the UK. The new model is set to double Aston Martin’s sales – joining the Vantage, DB11 and DBS Superleggera sports cars, which will continue to be produced at Gaydon.