Aston Martin Gears Up To Fight Porsche And Ferrari

Aston Martin continues to prove it's a force to be reckoned with in the exclusive world of exotics and supercars. The iconic UK carmaker has just announced the opening of its second manufacturing facility in Wales and pre-production prototypes of the firm's first-ever SUV, the DBX, are already rolling off the line. Located in St Athan, Wales, the 90-acre facility is actually a former Ministry of Defense site that also houses three so-called "Super Hangars."

Those hangars, along with everything else, have been completely transformed into a fully-fledged, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. A total of 200 jobs have been created as a result and Aston Martin says this figure is expected to increase to over 550 in the near future. An additional 3,000 jobs are also projected to be created across the supply chain and other local businesses. The company's first factory is located in Gaydon in Warwickshire, about a two-hour drive from Heathrow airport.

However, the DBX will be built exclusively at St Athan. In addition, the firm's upcoming all-electric Lagonda brand lineup will also have its home in Wales.

"This is an exciting time for Aston Martin Lagonda," said Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Andy Palmer. "Our second luxury manufacturing facility is now producing cars and is ready to go into full production in H1 2020. Our facilities and manufacturing teams, led by VP and Chief Manufacturing Operations Officer Keith Stanton have done an outstanding job in getting the factory ready almost a year before full production starts, on time and on budget."

Ever since Palmer took the helm back in 2014, Aston Martin has embarked on an aggressive plan to be not only a direct alternative to Porsche, but to Ferrari as well.