Aston Martin DBX (SUV)

Aston Martin sales down 32% in 2020 as a result of pandemic

British firm ran down dealer stock to minimise Covid impact; strong DBX demand leads recovery

Aston Martin sales dropped sharply in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, but strong demand for the new DBX SUV sparked a recovery in the final quarter.

The British firm counted 4150 retail sales across the year, down 32% on 2019, and wholesale volume - sales of cars to dealers - dropped 42% from 5862 units to 3394.

As a result, annual revenue declined to £611.8m from £980.5m year-on-year, and Aston Martin made an operating loss of £323m - though this includes £98m of "adjusting operating items, largely the impairment of capitalised R&D due to technology and cycle plan changes".

The new DBX SUV accounted for more than a quarter of total sales, with 1171 units sold in Q4, the marque's strongest quarter in 2020. Along with the sale of 32 'special' models, up from 10 in Q3, and a "reduction in total customer and retail financing support", Aston saw a 3% quarterly revenue growth and positively adjusted its EBITDA forecast for the year.

 
Aston Martin DBX F1 Medical Car

Aston Martin DBX will share the Official Medical Car of Formula 1® responsibilities this season, driven by Alan van der Merwe (41, South Africa). Like the safety car, the medical car is distinguishable by its 2021 Aston Martin Racing Green paint with Lime Green accents - as well as the prominent FIA medical car livery, LED rear number plate and roof-mounted LED light-bar which sits upon the roof rails.

Powered by the 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine, also found in DB11 and Vantage, DBX provides an impressive output of 550PS and 700NM of torque which launches DBX from 0 to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 181mph. All this ensures the FIA medical team can respond effectively to an emergency. With a sound that is unquestionably Aston Martin, the active exhaust system means DBX will not only be seen, but heard, as it does.

The Official Medical Car of Formula 1® is required to carry a substantial amount of equipment including a large medical bag, a defibrillator, two fire extinguishers and a burn kit - and the DBX is more than equipped with 632 litres of boot space.


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Aston Martin reveals uprated Vantage Formula 1 safety car

V8 coupé gets a power hike and chassis tuning for F1 duties; will be joined by stripped-out DBX medical car

Following the unveiling of its first Formula 1 car in 61 years, Aston Martin has shown the Vantage safety car and DBX medical car that will be used for the 2021 season.

Aston Martin is sharing safety car duties with partner firm Mercedes-AMG this season, running the Vantage and DBX duo at 12 of the planned 23 races, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 29 March.

The safety car features substantial powertrain, chassis and interior modifications over the road-going Vantage to ensure that it can carry out "the critical role of intervening and controlling the pace of an event involving the fastest racing cars in the world". It will be piloted by Bernd Mayländer, who has driven the F1 safety car for more than 20 years.

 
Electric Aston Martin SUV & Sportscar in 2025?

A report says the British luxury car brand will be going the electrified route, with the first non-ICE products coming in 2025.

The report in the Financial Times and Motor Authority suggested the British carmaker will be venturing into the electric car space. A sportscar and an SUV with electric power will be coming to market in 2025 and both models will be assembled in England.

Aston Martin as a company has been struggling with financial issues and was rescued by a team of investors led by Lawrence Stroll, who became the brand's chairman. Stroll gave the interview in the Financial Times and said the new electric sportscar will be built at the brand's facilities in Gaydon, England. Gaydon is the home of the Vantage, DB11 and DBS Superleggera, while its electric SUV will be built in St Athan, Wales, which is where the DBX SUV is made.

 
Aston Martin confirms 95 job losses at St Athan factory

DBX production line workforce to be downsized in line with the company's plan to return to profitability

Aston Martin has confirmed that it will lay off 95 full-time workers at its new DBX production facility in St Athan, Wales.

The job cuts form part of a previously announced downsizing strategy that will see the firm make 500 lay-offs and cut operating costs by £10 million as part of a plan to return to profitability.

An unspecified number of contractors at the St Athan plant, reported by Wales Online to be in excess of 100, will also be released.

The St Athan facility only began full-scale series production in summer last year, but Aston is now aiming to bring its cost base in line with reduced production levels of its sports car lines. More recently, the firm announced that its sales dropped 32% in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, contributing to an overall operating loss of £323m.

 
The World Needs More Pastel Cars

Life is simply too short to live in grayscale, no matter what any of those ‘the most popular car color is once again silver’ studies claims. In fact, it’s about damn time we even start moving past bright primary colors. It’s time for some soft, beautiful pastels. And Aston Martin totally gets it.

I truly wish I was rich so I could book myself a flight to California, since this summery collection is exclusive to Aston Martin Newport Beach. I wish I also knew like three things about fashion so I could coordinate my outfit to my brand new robin’s egg blue convertible. I have neither money nor style, so I must simply appreciate this Aston collection from afar.

There are five different options here, each of which you can explore in detail on the Aston Martin Newport Beach website. You’ll have your pick of a Vantage, a Vantage Coupe, a DBX, a DB11 V8, or a DB11 Volante. All fine choices on a regular day, all simply more appealing with a delicate shade.


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Aston Martin boosted by strong DBX sales in first quarter of 2021

British firm's revenue exceeds expectations, with new SUV now accounting for more than half of all sales

Aston Martin Lagonda has reported higher than expected revenues for the first four months of 2021, with sales boosted by the success of the DBX SUV.

The British company sold 1353 cars in the first quarter of the year, including 746 DBX – 55 per cent of the total. The total meant Aston Martin’s sales more than doubled compared to the same period last year, although sales then were hit by various coronavirus-related lockdowns, particularly in China.

Aston Martin’s revenue increased by 153 per cent year-on-year to £224 million, which exceeded the expectations of market analysts. The firm reported losses of £38.1 million for the quarter, although that is an improvement given the firm’s recent struggles.

Aston Martin said that the increased revenue reflected both the rising sales of the DBX and stronger pricing from a planned reduction in stock levels of its GT and Sport model lines.

Lawrence Stroll, the firm’s chairman, said the results demonstrated “the great progress we are making”. He added: “I am very confident in the future success and potential for Aston Martin as we transform the company to be one of the greatest luxury car brands in the world.”

 
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