Aston Martin Lagonda has suspended vehicle production at its plants in the UK, including at St Athan, home of its DBX crossover.
The company, headquartered in Warwickshire, made the announcement today, and said the decision to halt production – for a scheduled four weeks – from tomorrow was in response to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Aston Martin’s President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said, “It is our responsibility to ensure we do all we can to support the Government’s efforts in slowing the spread of Covid-19 over the coming weeks and, with the health of our amazing workforce front and centre of our minds, we have taken the tough decision to temporarily suspend operations at our sites around the UK.”
Russell George AM, the Shadow Minister for Business, added, “The move by Aston Martin is in line with some other marques’ decisions, and while regrettable, it is understandable. Sales, especially in some of the key markets, such as China and elsewhere in South-east Asia, have fallen.
“Yet, as Aston Martin’s CEO said, the company wants to keep its workforce – it employs around 850 people in Wales – and their families safe, fit, healthy, and ready to return to restart production next month.”