British car maker Aston Martin today confirmed that St Athan in Glamorgan has been chosen as the location for its second manufacturing facility.

The company’s new luxury DBX crossover vehicle will be manufactured at the site in an investment that will directly create 750 high-skilled jobs and support a further 1,000 in the supply chain.

Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:

Today’s announcement is an enormous boost for St Athan, for Wales and for the British car industry. It is a genuine example of a ‘one nation’ achievement, with both the UK and Welsh Governments working together to attract this prestige manufacturer to Welsh shores. This decision has reinforced Wales’ position as an innovator and leader in the automotive sector. It also shows the strength and competitiveness of our manufacturing sector, and the high-end skills base that is driving our economy forward. St Athan will present a wealth of opportunities to Aston Martin. I look forward to seeing the Super Hangar transformed into a major manufacturing base, and seeing Wales underlining its important contribution to the renaissance of the UK automotive industry.

Occupying some 90 acres, the new Aston Martin facility at St Athan will re-purpose some of the facilities currently in use at the site by the Ministry of Defence. Centered on the transformation of the three existing ‘super-hangers’ at MOD St Athan, construction work is planned to commence in 2017 with full vehicle production commencing in 2020.

St Athan will be the sole production facility for a new Aston Martin crossover vehicle. A concept crossover vehicle named ‘DBX’ was first shown in early 2015 and showed the company’s intention and direction for this fast-growing segment of the luxury market. With growing demand for these types of vehicles in markets such as China and the United States, it is expected that over 90% of the production from St Athan will be exported outside of the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister, David Cameron said:

Aston Martin is an iconic British brand and the decision to invest here shows real confidence in our economy. With our economic strengths and easy access to European markets, the UK automotive sector is thriving. It is one of the biggest in Europe – and the most productive – and Aston’s creation of up to 1,000 new jobs in Wales and the West Midlands is welcome news.

Notes to editors

Image of Aston Martin DBX concept car courtesy of Automotive Rhythms (creative commons) on Flickr