ASTON MARTIN TO MAKE ITS NEW LUXURY ELECTRIC CARS IN WALES
ASTON MARTIN’S new battery electric vehicle will be made in south Wales, which will also be the manufacturing home for its Lagonda brand.
In a huge boost to the Welsh automotive sector, Aston Martin has confirmed a further £50m investment at its factory in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, which will become its centre for electrification.
The £50m investment is on top of a £200m project, confirmed in 2016, that will see the luxury car maker producing its new sports utility vehicle (SUV) at three transformed former RAF hangars at St Athan.
Aston Martin, which is planning a £5bn flotation on the London Stock Exchange next month, has also confirmed the name of its new battery powered electric vehicle, of which 155 will be made, as the Rapide E.
Production of its first all electric model is scheduled to start in 2019. The factory is only Aston Martin’s second manufacturing base, alongside its existing HQ in Gaydon in the Midlands.
St Athan will be home to its revitalised Lagonda brand, the world’s first zero-emission luxury marque.
Its Lagonda vision concept was first revealed earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show.
The price tags for the Lagonda, which will use zero emission powertrain technologies, and the Rapide E, have yet to be confirmed by Aston Martin.
Lagonda production is scheduled to start in 2021.
Some 150 out of an eventual workforce of 750 high-skilled staff for the SUV project have already been recruited. The staff will also work on the Lagonda and Rapide E production lines.
Production of the SUV is due to start late next year, with work on the factory having now entered its third and final stage.
The investment will also create an estimated 1,000 jobs in the wider supply chain, including with firms based in Wales.
Chief executive of Aston Martin, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Aston Martin sees itself as a future leader in the development of zero emission technologies, and I am delighted that St Athan will be our ‘home of electrification’ for both the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.
“The Rapide E will spearhead development of Aston Martin’s low and zero emission vehicle strategy. With the reintroduction of the Lagonda brand, this is a demonstration of how electrification features prominently in our business plan moving forward.”
First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said: “I am very proud of Aston Martin’s decision to locate its new manufacturing facility in St Athan.
“It shows a huge vote of confidence in the Welsh Government’s can-do attitude and in the package of support that we can offer to businesses that want to work with us.
“Today’s announcement that St Athan will also be the ‘home of electrification’ for both Aston Martin and Lagonda is another huge win for Wales.
“It is a genuine testament to the reputation, dedication and skills of our workforce but also an excellent and very tangible example of how Welsh Government support can act as the catalyst for further economic growth and job creation.”
The Welsh Government has supported Aston Martin’s investment in south Wales to date with £5.8m in financial support.
The UK Government’s International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “I’m delighted that Aston Martin has chosen St Athan as its centre for electrification and the home of Lagonda production in a move that will create hundreds of high skilled jobs in the coming years.
“The UK has world leading expertise in manufacturing and developing low carbon vehicles and this investment is yet another vote of confidence in the our highly competitive automotive industry.
“My international economic department continues to work with investors to create jobs in all parts of the country, maintaining the UK’s position as Europe’s premier investment destination.”
Aston Martin was founded in 1904 and Lagonda in 1913.
The two brands came together in 1947.