Yahoo Autos Report: A Future Aston Martin Could Be Built In Macedonia
If you were to suggest to me ten years ago a future Aston Martin would be built in Macedonia, I'd think you were crazy. A Macedonian Aston is actually now a legitimate possibility, according to two sources that spoke to Reuters last week. Reuters also spoke to a government official in Macedonia who anonymously confirmed the country made an offer to Aston Martin.
Aston Martin is currently looking for locations to build its DBX Crossover, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last year. Last May, Aston martin CEO Andy Palmer told Automotive News that Alabama was the "obvious choice" for a new Aston Martin plant. Mercedes-Benz, which now owns a 5% stake in Aston Martin, builds SUVs in Alabama currently. Reuters reports that Alabama is still in the running for an Aston Martin plant.
The DBX is planned to launch in 2019 and is tasked with increasing Aston's annual sales from 4,000 to 15,000. Palmer told Automotive News producing 15,000 cars at its current Gaydon plant is possible, but it would be difficult.
While one doesn't associate Macedonia with car manufacturing–nevermind Aston Martin manufacturing–Reuters notes that the country has attracted a number of new factories thanks to government subsidies.
The production of an Aston Martin crossover outside the UK might be seen as heretical to some, but the company needs to take drastic measures to survive. Since Ford sold Aston Martin just before the 2007/2008 financial crisis, Aston Martin hasn't exactly thrived, as Reuters notes.
Going back on its tradition of building sports and GT cars in the UK might be Aston's only hope. Besides, Aston Martin has already sold a car built outside the UK: the Rapide was briefly built by Magna Steyr in Austria.
You Might Also Like
