Luxury brand Aston Martin is overhauling its presence in South Wales as it gears up for its new multi-million-pound assembly plant at St Athan.
By the end of this month, Stratstone Aston Martin Cardiff will close after 11 years and local customers will be able to use a drop and collect maintenance service for their cars to be carried out in Bristol from July. The Stratstone car retailer on North Road, Cardiff will remain open and continue to operate as a retailer for all makes of pre-owned sports and specialist vehicles including Aston Martin, plus provide a full range of servicing and repairs, but will cease to be a franchised dealership for the luxury car brand after a partnership of 11 years.
Later this year a futuristic Aston Martin brand experience outlet will open in the Welsh capital, only the second in the UK after the Mayfair London shop opens.
Plans for the new Aston Martin factory at St Athan due to be handed over to the company in April 2017 from the Ministry of Defence, include a visitor centre and showroom for the brand, similar to the operation at its Gaydon headquarters when production commences in 2019.
The changes are part of a global review of all Aston Martin operations, sales and service centres and the wider acceptance of the brand and all it stands for, said a company spokesman.
Aston Martin has recently opened new dealerships along the M4 in Reading and Bristol as well as Newcastle.
The new Cardiff centre, at a location yet to be decided, will show the latest models from the company, sell Aston Martin branded goods and act as a virtual reality showroom for the new factory and model assembly in a unique experience for visitors.
The first applicants accepted for its St Athan base will shortly begin their training at Gaydon and will then return to South Wales to assist with the build up of the plant and its assembly operations. Robin Roberts Miles Better News Agency
