Aston gears up for Japan trade

ASTON Martin is broadening its horizons and targeting £500m of trade with Japan as part of chief executive Andy Palmer’s turnaround strategy.

The sports car company is investing up to £30m in a technology centre and “luxury accelerator office” in Japan to help develop new systems as well as understand the mindset of the country’s motorists.

Other plans from the Warwickshire-based business – which has raced back into profit after years of losses – include establishing a global brand centre and base in Tokyo, as well as boosting its dealer network in the country. Mr Palmer is on the current UK trade mission to Japan led by Theresa May, the Prime Minister, and said the country was an important part of Aston’s future.

The group expects to export more than £400m of cars there over the next five years and also source £70m of components from the country to be used on its production lines in the UK.

“As the world’s secondlargest luxury car market, Japan is key to our plans as we revitalise and expand our portfolio,” Mr Palmer said.