Aston Martin is close to making a decision as to where it will build its newest factory.
It’s no secret the British automaker wants to expand its manufacturing efforts into North America. Speaking to Automotive News, CEO Andy Palmer says a decision is coming by the end of this year and that Alabama is an “obvious choice.”
“Our principal customers will be in the United States and China,” he said. A Chinese factory would be difficult for Aston Martin due to the need to form an alliance with a local automaker. That puts the U.S. at the top of Aston Martin’s list; specifically Alabama due to its close proximity to Mercedes-Benz, which has a five per cent stake in the company.
The Alabama plant will likely be where Aston Martin will build the DBX crossover. First seen at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the DBX is poised to lift Aston Martin to sales of 15,000 vehicles per year by 2019.
Palmer says Aston Martin’s existing factory in Gaydon, England would be able to accommodate the output, though it would put a strain on the facility. That being said, Palmer sees one of the challenges as “reproducing” the craftsmanship Aston Martin is known for.
“It’s not impossible to imagine it acting as a hub and a spoke for our craftsmen in Gaydon,” he said. “One of the mental challenges we need to go through right now is how do you create British craftsmanship and reproduce it somewhere else.”
