The production version of the Aston Martin DBX Concept is expected to arrive in 2019 with the opening of the brand's new factory.
After the Maserati Levante, presented in Geneva, it is the turn of Aston Martin to launch itself in the SUV segmentos segment with a luxury model. In an interview with CarAdvice, Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin, confirmed that he will move towards the construction of a new factory in Wales, where the brand's new SUV will be produced.
The next factory will be “a copy” of the current unit in Gaydon, England, whose capacity to produce 7,000 units is insufficient. After the inauguration, in 2019, Aston Martin will begin production of the new SUV – similar to the DBX Concept (in the images) – which, according to Andy Palmer, could represent the majority of the brand's sales.
From the new SUV we can expect a sporty design (of course…) but also a more practical and utilitarian component, in addition to all the technologies that a luxury model is entitled to. According to the brand, the next vehicle will have “environmental concerns”, and as such it will not be possible to rule out a hybrid or even an electric engine.
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Currently, Aston Martin sells around 4000 units a year – a figure that has been declining in recent years. Therefore, the British brand is going to implement a strategic plan to reverse the negative results, which includes the construction of a new factory that will house the brand's next models.
The goal is to raise the number of sales to 14 thousand units a year by 2023. Although it is an ambitious number, Palmer is optimistic for the future of the brand: “nobody really knows how big the luxury SUV segment is, because apart from the Bentley Bentayga, he doesn't exist.” Andy Palmer added that China and the US will be two of the main markets for the new British model.
Source: CarAdvice