The forthcoming Aston Martin SUV which will go into production at St Athan will carry a “Made in Wales” identity plate.
The decision was revealed last night by Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Andy Palmer as guest speaker at the Welsh Automotive Forum Networking Dinner, held near Cardiff.
He told guests, “All our luxury sports cars have carried a Made in England identity plate but when the SUV comes off the line at St Athan it will carry a Made in Wales plate.”
The news was greeted with rapturous applause by over 320 guests at the dinner.
It is the first Aston Martin model to be built outside England and will be in showrooms in 2019.
Mr Palmer said they were really impressed by the quality of the 750-strong Welsh workforce they have started to train at their Gaydon headquarters and one new member of staff has already been promoted.
Principal guest was Mr Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure and Mr Palmer paid tribute to the support the company had from Welsh Government. “The team at Welsh Government has been so helpful and enthusiastic, they put up the best case and we quickly realised we couldn’t go anywhere else,” he said referring to the global search for a new manufacturing centre.