Photo: Aston Martin
Chosen from 20 potential locations from all over the world, three RAF hangars located in South Wales were deemed perfect for Aston Martin’s second factory after the facility in Gaydon, UK.
Now that construction of the St Athan assembly complex has started, the British manufacturer is proud to announce that production will be underway in 2019. The first product that will be built at Aston Martin St Athan will be the first-ever sport utility vehicle to wear the trademark winged badge.
Supposedly inspired by the DBX Concept that made its debut in Geneva last year, the yet-unnamed SUV has all the makings of becoming Aston Martin’s best-selling model ever. Provided that the SUV craze will not dwindle by the time the jacked-up model starts rolling off the assembly line in 2019, that is.
“Work now starts in earnest to turn our plans into reality,” said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin big kahuna and an ardent advocate of the manual transmission. “Since taking the decision to build our first SUV in Wales we have been impressed with the commitment and approach from both the MOD and the Welsh Government in making this project work,” Palmer added.
Dubbed “Phase I,” this state of construction will see Aston Martin build staff and reception areas, administration and management offices, as well as an employee restaurant. Welsh company TRJ Contracting handles construction per se. “Phase II” is expected to commence in April 2017. That’s when Aston Martin will gain access to the three hangars that used to house aircraft such as the Vulcan, Phantom, and the Harrier Jump Jet. The St Athan RAF hangars will be converted into the manufacturing facility for the upcoming SUV.
According to the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, the future model will be manufactured by “some 750 of our skilled workers.” Though the DBX is an electric SUV, chances are Aston Martin won’t go that far with the production model. A plug-in hybrid seems more feasible, as does a conventional engine with a 48-volt electrical system, an electric charger, and an integrated starter generator. The latter solution would make the SUV a mild-hybrid vehicle.
Supposedly inspired by the DBX Concept that made its debut in Geneva last year, the yet-unnamed SUV has all the makings of becoming Aston Martin’s best-selling model ever. Provided that the SUV craze will not dwindle by the time the jacked-up model starts rolling off the assembly line in 2019, that is.
“Work now starts in earnest to turn our plans into reality,” said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin big kahuna and an ardent advocate of the manual transmission. “Since taking the decision to build our first SUV in Wales we have been impressed with the commitment and approach from both the MOD and the Welsh Government in making this project work,” Palmer added.
Dubbed “Phase I,” this state of construction will see Aston Martin build staff and reception areas, administration and management offices, as well as an employee restaurant. Welsh company TRJ Contracting handles construction per se. “Phase II” is expected to commence in April 2017. That’s when Aston Martin will gain access to the three hangars that used to house aircraft such as the Vulcan, Phantom, and the Harrier Jump Jet. The St Athan RAF hangars will be converted into the manufacturing facility for the upcoming SUV.
According to the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, the future model will be manufactured by “some 750 of our skilled workers.” Though the DBX is an electric SUV, chances are Aston Martin won’t go that far with the production model. A plug-in hybrid seems more feasible, as does a conventional engine with a 48-volt electrical system, an electric charger, and an integrated starter generator. The latter solution would make the SUV a mild-hybrid vehicle.
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