Aston Martin’s St Athan factory to be EV base ~ station of gear

Jonathan Burn 2018-09-11 00:01

Electrification of future Aston Martin models to be based at St Athan factory alongside DBX SUV and Rapide E production

Aston Martin Lagonda Vision concept - Geneva front

Aston Martin’s new manufacturing site in St Athan, Wales will become the firm’s centre for electrification, the company has confirmed.

Aston Martin has announced that along with the production version of the DBX SUV concept and the Rapide E, the reborn Lagonda brand (comprising zero-emissions vehicles only) will be based at the ex-Ministry of Defence site, which is being converted into a car factory employing around 750 staff.

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The British brand is investing an additional £50m in St Athan to make it its designated centre for electrification. The move suits the production DBX (likely to be called Varekai) almost as much as the Rapide E, because Aston's debut SUV is likely to feature a hybrid petrol-electric powertrain.

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Group CEO, said: "I'm delighted that St Athan will be our 'Home of electrification'. The Rapide E will spearhead development of Aston Martin's low- and zero-emission vehicle strategy. This is a demonstration of how electrification features prominently in our business plan moving forward."

More than 150 staff are already employed at St Athan, although production of the DBX and Rapide E isn't expected to start until the second half of next year.

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