Aston Martin To Build Outside U.K.

Production of the Rapide may take place outside UK

One of the most British brands of automobile in history may cease to be entirely British. The Financial Times is reporting that Aston Martin is nearing a decision that would have a builder outside the U.K. assemble the company's next model for the first time in history.

According to the Financial Times, the Aston Martin Rapide may be built by either Italian design and engineering firm Pinin-farina, Karmann group, based in Germany, Austria's Magna, and Magna of Finland. Magna builds the Boxster for Porsche. Aston Martin is considering bids from all four companies to assemble their new four-door saloon.

This decision by Aston Martin has been in the works for months, states the Financial Times. The thought process appears to have little to do with the sale of the luxury automaker by Ford to Kuwaiti investors.

Aston Martin, which turned 93-years-old this year, typically builds at their Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. However, with a surprising upturn over the last ten years in Aston Martin purchases, building at Gaydon is apparently at capacity.

The Aston Martin Rapide is expected for delivery in late 2009.

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moyusuf

Jeremy Clarkson is going to be pissed.

November 23, 2007 3:35 pm

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carolinaluvr101

I know! I can't wait to see it...

November 24, 2007 5:15 pm

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joelynn

The government poured money down the drain with Rover, which was always a failing company, so now it's got the opportunity to help a healthy, successful company create more UK jobs why doesn't it help Aston-Martin build another UK factory?

November 23, 2007 4:03 pm

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carcrazy1234

hopefully those two wine bottles and wine classes dont break going around the top gear track if it happens to get on the show (which could happen) :P

November 24, 2007 3:28 am

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elsonlau

David Richards and the men behind the ownership of Aston Martin, wants to do a cost cutting program, after sold out by Ford. The needed a factory space for the Rapide. Its going to be the next Porsche as they did the Boxster, which it was built in Finland.

November 24, 2007 4:34 am

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carolinaluvr101

Astons need to be made in the UK! This is only being done so the owners get more money put into their pockets! Well, atleast they aren't so corrupt as to having it made in China...

November 24, 2007 5:20 pm

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F599GTB

haha made in China..personally I really don't care; many mercedes, lexuses and other foreign brands assemble their cars in plants in the US and this Rapide or whatever they're making is bound to be a beast.

November 25, 2007 3:20 am

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phobos

rapide is one of the best looking car around,i hope they don't do something wrong, british car must have british soul

November 26, 2007 11:46 am

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bmwaddict

This car looks absolutely astonishing! I really hope the brand will succsesfully mount these financial problems. To bad, this British icon will be produced elsewhere but Britain.

November 27, 2007 9:32 am

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shifty

i totally agree with you bmwaddict, in fact Aston Martin is the only non-german or german-owned brand I really Admire!

November 27, 2007 1:22 pm

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Bullet93

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 30, 2007 10:09 am

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carcrazy1234

that thing is so long it can fit in a limo category... maybe its just a pic but damn it looks long DAMN nice looking car either way!