Construction of the new plant is expected to begin in 2017 and the first cars to go into production in 2020, generating around direct 1,000 jobs. A further 3,000 jobs are expected to be created across the supply chain.

This will be Aston Martin’s second manufacturing facility. The British company said it assessed over 20 potential global locations for this new manufacturing facility, including North America and the Middle East, before choosing South Wales.

Launched in 2015, the DBX aims to develop its share of the women drivers’ market.

In 2007 Aston Martin switched production from its original site in the English market town of Newport Pagnall to a purpose built factory at Gaydon, in nearby Oxfordshire. The luxury manufacturer trims all its cars in leather, using about 7-8 full hides in each car.

“We lay each hide out and carry out a visual inspection of each hide marking any imperfections. Then, we take the cutting templates and cut each panel by hand. Every piece has to be perfect”, Chris Brewer, Trim Shop, Aston Martin Works, told ILM.  A business report of leather as part of Aston Martin’s heritage can be found in the July/August 2015 of ILM. Click here to obtain a copy.