James Bond car maker Aston Martin pledges to get factories motoring again

Luxury car-maker Aston Martin Lagonda is to reopen its South Wales factory on 5 May.

The iconic sports car manufacturer best known as being the James Bond car of choice employs around 500 staff in Gaydon and 300 at St Athan. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The company announced that it will resume operations at its St Athan facility, following guidelines from Public Health Wales and Public Health England to protect its workforce.

It said it will take “learnings in terms of health and safety” into account when it reopens its main car plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire, at a later date. Both sites have been closed since 25 March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The firm also announced that its senior leadership team have agreed to a reduction in pay.

Chief executive Andy Palmer is waiving 35 per cent of his base salary. It was previously announced that he would not be paid an annual bonus for the 2019/20 financial year.

The company behind James Bond’s car of choice employs around 500 staff in Gaydon and 300 in St Athan. The majority of its employees have been furloughed.

Production staff are being paid as normal, but those who continue to be furloughed from 1 May will receive 80 per cent of their base salaries from then.

Many car factories across the UK are closed due to coronavirus.