Aston Martin could fly in parts post-Brexit to avoid issues at Dover
Potential post-Brexit delays at port could be avoided by flying parts across the channel, the firm’s boss suggests
Aston Martin’s chief executive officer has suggested that the brand may resort to flying in parts such as engines and gearboxes, amid concerns that the port of Dover will become clogged with red tape following the UK’s exit from the EU.
Andy Palmer, CEO, told Reuters that parts could be flown into Coventry or Birmingham airports, which are closest to its plant at Gaydon in Warwickshire.
He said: “You can get a few days of engines and gearboxes relatively easily into the cargo decks of a plane. So, whilst it’s relatively expensive, that is probably our primary backup.”
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“The European-sourced parts, which include the engine and the gearbox as a complete assembly, come back in from Europe so an alternative port is one way, predominantly for lorries, and then reserving space on aircrafts for one-off shipping.
Air transport is currently only used by Aston Martin in emergency situations, with freight usually entering through the port of Dover. As a cheaper backup, Aston Martin said it would also look into using Sunderland to ship goods.
Any plan Aston Martin makes would have to be approved by the board of directors by the end of 2018, ahead of the UK’s planned exit from the EU on March 29. Palmer said: “There is undoubtedly a cost associated with it, but it’s cheaper than not building cars. I simply work to the worst and hope for the best.”
Aston Martin has already switched its car type approvals from British soil to Spain, after concerns that UK type approval would not be valid in the EU following Brexit.
The firm successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange earlier this month – the first British car manufacturer to do so — but it hasn’t been a seamless process. Aston Martin’s share price has fallen by over 20 per cent since its entry.
