► Aston Martin expansion continues
► New Silverstone test centre
► Plus a London HQ as staff hits 5000
Aston Martin continues to flourish and the resurgent sports car maker today announced it was building a new test centre at Silverstone – and a London office. It’s all part of the Second Century Business Plan, which spells out an ambitious growth trajectory.
The company forecasts its staff will surge past 5000 by 2022, as it rolls out its growth plan with new models (including a mid-engined supercar), new brands (that’s you, Lagonda) and new factories (Wales).
In total, the company says it will soon have 10 bases dotted around the UK:
- Chase Point: Purchasing, body-in-white assembly
- Gaydon: Global HQ, design studio, sports car manufacturing, commercial operations, research and development
- London (Dover Street): Brand centre, event space
- London (Soho Square): Commercial operations, event space
- Milton Keynes: Aston Martin Red Bull Racing joint projects, design studio, commercial operations
- Newport Pagnell: Aston Martin Works, continuation series manufacturing
- Silverstone: Testing and development
- St Athan: Large platform vehicle manufacturing, research and development
- Wellesbourne: Special Vehicle Operations, Prototype development
- Wolverton Mill: Parts distribution
Why launch a new Aston Martin base in Silverstone?
It’s a base for prototype testing, chassis dynamics and high-speed handling, according to the company. This will become more important as it rolls out vehicles like the DBX crossover under the Lagonda brand (above).
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin president and chief executive officer, said: ‘The company is now investing for growth across the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands. I am particularly pleased that we can now call Silverstone home for dynamic testing and development.’