Wednesday 12th June 2019

Aston Martin kicks off production at St Athan

Pre-prod DBXs are being built at Aston's brand new facility ahead of the SUV's market launch next year

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Aston Martin has commenced production at its brand-new St Athan facility in South Wales, where prototype versions of the upcoming DBX are being made ahead of the SUV's introduction in 2020. Company boss Andy Palmer said Aston's second factory, comprised of three former RAF 'super hangers', had been completed "on time and on budget" - which ought to make anyone toiling on TVR's nearby Ebbw Vale site red with jealousy.

Aston has been working on its new facility since 2016, in which time 200 jobs have been created. St Athan's role as Aston's DBX producer, as well as its responsibility to lead the development of EV tech and build all future Lagonda models, means a further 500 jobs are expected to be created directly, with an additional 3,000 spawned across the wider supply chain that will include local businesses in South Wales.

With its production line (sort of) operational, development of the DBX - Aston's first SUV - has moved from Wales to the Arctic Circle and Nurburgring. Aston claims the car will be as capable off road as it is on and is expected to be revealed before the end of 2019 with an AMG 4.0-litre V8 offering in the region of 500hp, and with the majority of power going rearwards to ensure Aston-like dynamics.

It's no coincidence that St Athan is to produce the DBX and also lead Aston's electrification charge. The SUV will eventually grow a hybrid variant while the Lagonda All-Terrain SUV produced alongside it from 2021 is set to be all-electric only, leaving Gaydon to focus on the sportier stuff, like the new Vanquish, 003 and, of course, Valkyrie. Lots going on then - and at the ideal time for the industry, too.

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[Mike 83]

I know the usual they have to make these like porche to survive and make great sports cars but I still hate it mabey I'm just getting old or have become a dinosaur I need another coffee before I look at that thing again

[Unsorted]

Andy Palmer said Aston's second factory ... had been completed "on time and on budget" - He is on a winning streak with the share price arriving on time and at present costing massively under initial estimate.

[richs2891]

Have to agree with the above that AM SUV looks terrible - V bland in that colour scheme, it could be from any number on manufactures.
I am surprised that the SUV craze is still going strong, I though it would have started to die off

[Andy665]

I will reserve judgement on what the car looks like until it has actually been revealed but I'm pleased AM is at least understanding what customers are wanting to buy


Whether people like it or not the demand for SUVs is continuing to grow and any manufacturer that ignores that demand is naïve and arrogant


Porsche would not have survived if it was not for the Cayenne, if an AM SUV allows the company to survive and produce great sports / GT cars then why not - no one who doesn't like it is not exactly being forced to buy it

[HardtopManual]

Admittedly, I don't understand why SUVs are so popular and I don't understand why anyone who's in the market for an Aston would want an Aston SUV. But that thing could be a Kia or a Seat.

[LordGrover]

'Red with jealousy'?
Green with envy.

[speedandstealth]

The state of our British roads requires a car that doesn't break a wheel or suspension every time we crash through a pothole!.....just need bullet proof windscreens to cope with the stones that get thrown up!

[anonymous-user]

Perhaps reserve judgement on the DBX until the actual car is unveiled. The idea with a camo car is to get people talking about it, without showing them the final article. DBSS style headlights are an indication of what it should look like eventually. It certainly wont be like a Benteyga (aka a Q7 in a dress that doesn't fit properly).

St Athan looks brilliant - it's all clicking into place bit by bit.

[Cold]

If it's not a BMW diesel estate then PH won't like it.

Great news for AML and the UK industry and demonstrates a much needed confidence in our workforce. Looking forward to seeing these out and about on our roads.

[Harry_523]

HardtopManual said:

Admittedly, I don't understand why SUVs are so popular and I don't understand why anyone who's in the market for an Aston would want an Aston SUV. But that thing could be a Kia or a Seat.

I dont understand SUV's either, but the point here isnt to sell to people who want an Aston already, its to attract people who want an SUV TO Aston. Conquest customers in marketing terms.

Long may it fund many a Vantage AMR manual, 001, 003, Vanquish concept etc etc and hopefully those stunning Lagonda concepts. Aston do appear to be on a bit of a role at the moment.

[NJJ]

If this helps to keep Aston Martin going then it is a win-win-win for fans of the brand, employees and the wider supply chain. UK automotive needs all the good news it can at the minute. I wish them well.

[Dave Hedgehog]

HardtopManual said:

Admittedly, I don't understand why SUVs are so popular and I don't understand why anyone who's in the market for an Aston would want an Aston SUV. But that thing could be a Kia or a Seat.

because they make better road cars, high position for a better view ahead, easier to get in and out, far easier to load little ones in the back and they handle badly repaired roads and sleeping policeman better

and many of them drive just as well as normal cars now


and this is coming from a devout SUV hater who now has 2 of the poxy things ...

[simon-tigjs]

Im sure Aston will find an incredibly loyal and grateful workforce, following the disastrous Ford News. Its a bit ironic Aston can invest in an electric future when we really needed Ford to do the same. GB plc goes from from a major automotive giant yet again to picking up the pieces. I remember when the demise of Rover devastated the West Midlands. Sunderland Derby and now South Wales look like the same fate awaits.Ugly or not, I bet Wales is grateful for the lifeline. I wish it well. What we really need is investment in Fuel cells to lead the world again and have them beating a path back to our door.

[Andy665]

simon-tigjs said:

What we really need is investment in Fuel cells to lead the world again and have them beating a path back to our door.

I agree, we already have a lot of investment in electric technology and are considered to be one of the world leaders, keeping that and combining it with fuel cell research and development would put us in a good position

[Nerdherder]

Harry_523 said:

HardtopManual said:

Admittedly, I don't understand why SUVs are so popular and I don't understand why anyone who's in the market for an Aston would want an Aston SUV. But that thing could be a Kia or a Seat.

I dont understand SUV's either, but the point here isnt to sell to people who want an Aston already, its to attract people who want an SUV TO Aston. Conquest customers in marketing terms.

Long may it fund many a Vantage AMR manual, 001, 003, Vanquish concept etc etc and hopefully those stunning Lagonda concepts. Aston do appear to be on a bit of a role at the moment.

I’m with Harry on this!

[Mr-B]

Anyone thinking that Brexit is not to blame for this is being naive.
No that's not right is it, oh never mind.

Don't like SUV's but if it keeps Aston going for another 100 years then it'll be worth it.

[Macboy]

Dear Aston Martin PR. Please stop showing disguised teaser shots. DBX looks worse in each new set you publish. Or are you setting us up for the car to be a mess without the camo?

[LotusOmega375D]

It's about time "M" brought James Bond in from the field and gave him a nice 9 to 5 desk job at the Ministry. One of these would be ideal for dropping his kids off at their suburban Prep school each morning.

[Gojira]

It's another hideous SUV, as far as I'm concerned, but if it helps Aston keep building proper cars until I win the lottery, I'd call it a good thing

[Birky_41]

Remind me of the Alfa Stelvio a bit. Similar power too