Industry News
Aston Martin expected to earn buyer over £57m p.a.; T&G concerned at possible move abroad
14th November 2006
The motor trade website Autowired reports that information sent by Ford to potential bidders for Aston Martin says the firm is on track to sell 7,000 cars this year, generating revenue of £479m and a profit of £57m. It also suggests that the company's Gaydon factory could be expanded to produce a maximum of 9,000 cars per year.
John Street, T&G regional industrial organiser, who represents the workforce at both sites, has said in a T&G news release he and the union are concerned at rumours that Aston Martin's sale could mean moving production out of the UK, which would affect some 1,000 production workers.
Mr. Street has requested a meeting of MPs local to Aston Martin’s establishments to discuss the impact of the sale and the possible closure of the Newport Pagnell site if car manufacturing is outsourced to Europe.
"Aston Martin is as British as James Bond himself," said Mr. Street. "With Casino Royale being released this week, the T&G says now is the time for Bond fans and car enthusiasts to join with us and say keep Bond cars in Britain."
Coincidentally, the owner of the rights to the Casino Royale film which opens today suggested to the BBC R4 Today programme that planned changes to the UK’s tax regime affecting film producers, currently subject to EC state aid scrutiny, might well shift the next Bond film abroad from Pinewood studios.
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