London (AFP)
Luxury carmaker Aston Martin will build all of its electric models in the UK from 2025 onwards, executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said in an interview with the Financial Times.
"The SUV will be built in Wales and the sports cars here (in Gaydon, editor's note), he said, when asked at the group's headquarters, according to the business daily on Sunday.
The brand will offer a hybrid version of its DBX SUV this year, then for other models from 2023 before 100% electric in 2025.
A total of 2,500 people work in Gaydon, central England and St Athan in Wales.
The manufacturer announced last year 500 layoffs as part of a restructuring in the midst of the historic automotive crisis, one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
The company more than tripled its loss in 2020 but is banking on a turnaround thanks to its restructuring plan.
Aston Martin, known to be James Bond's favorite brand, was saved from bankruptcy in early 2020 by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll.
Under his aegis, the manufacturer is also making its return to Formula 1 this year after decades of absence.
On the electric, "we are far ahead of our competitors thanks to our partnership with Mercedes", which holds 20% of the capital of the British, assures Mr. Stroll to the Financial Times.
The Italian Ferrari plans to release hybrid models by 2030 while the British Bentley will go all-electric on the same date.
Beyond that, all British car manufacturers are working to support the energy transition, especially since the United Kingdom will ban from 2030 the sale of gasoline or diesel cars.
Jaguar, for example, recently announced that it would go all-electric by 2025.
Others are hesitant about their presence in the United Kingdom, such as Stellantis, who is discussing with the British government the future of the Vauxhall factory at Ellesmere Port in the north-west of England.
One of the options would be to build an electric car there, on condition of substantial support from the public authorities.
© 2021 AFP