Aston Martin back in full production

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34106, 19 March 1976, Page 15

Aston Martin back in full production

A year ago it seemed that Aston Martin had joined the ranks of the departed — a name to remember alongside those of Bugatti, Alvis, Stutz, and Pegaso. Potential buyers of the company appeared and disappeared, until two North Americans confidently committed themselves to the ownership and revitalising of the company. They knew they had a good product: the four-cam 160 m.p.h. Aston Martin VB, and a four-seat limousine on the same chassis but as a Lagonda. They also had a factory but only a few of the workforce. most of whom had reluctantly left during January, i 975. There were several partly completed cars, not to mention a thriving business in servicing, restoring and maintaining the existing cars of enthusiasts from many countries. The new owners were convinced they could find customers. They had the cars which won the top gold medals for coachwork at the London show and which were fully certified for the crucial United States and Japanese markets. But before they could resume output they first had to rehire the most highly skilled employees needed to handcraft the aluminium-bodied high performance cars they believed could be sold worldwide at a rate of five or six a week during 1976. In January this year production resumed, at two cars a week. In February, as the workforce grew to the desired level of 220, output stepped up to three a week — and orders flowed in. By the first week in March Aston Martin was back in full production at

five cars a week. The two North Americans have been joined on the ownership panel by two Britons.

The director and general manager (Mr F. Hartley) explained the need for five cars a week as a minimum for profitability. Each $23,300 (pre-tax) V 8 costs more than $ll,OOO in materials alone, and the manufacturing time a car is 700 hours. At about four and three quarter cars a week the company “breaks even”; at five a week there is “profit,” and the occasional six a week will mean a secure future.

Two projects already under way include a marketing, engineering and design evaluation of the Canadian Bricklin "safety sports car” project which is now in receivership after sales of about 3000 cars. A Bricklin director approached Aston for this work, which will include extensive trials on Bricklins at Aston Martin and at Britain’s Motor Industry Research Association. Aston Martin is also making many specialist components for a new small aerobatic aircraft

which will be in the British team at the world aerobatics championship at Kiev, Russia, later this year. Aston Martin say such non-car projects will be taken on as the opportunity arises.

During the next 12 months Aston Martin plans to build 282 cars. More than 70 per cent will be exported, mainly to North America, Europe and the Middle East. Additionally, the Japanese importer has contracted to take 80 cars, worth s2m during the next two years.