A MAJOR UK car dealership is closing its luxury showroom after eight years – but it’s not all negative.
Grange Motors’ current Aston Martin Birmingham showroom at its Hampton in Arden site is shutting its doors for good.
But the move is just part of a £10million project that will see new and bigger premises open in Shirley, near Solihull.
It will be the flash motor’s nearest showroom to its manufacturing plant in Gaydon.
The new venue, which will cover a total of 1,720 square metres will be split over two floors as well as a rooftop area, is earmarked to open in September.
It comes after successful flagship openings in New York City and Tokyo.
The showroom will be the first Aston Martin dealership in the UK to feature the brand’s new corporate identity and upmarket customer experience strategy.
People buying one of the cars will be able to use the latest technology to digitally configure their own personal Aston Martin via a life-size LED screen, reports Car Dealership Magazine.
The move will see 30 jobs created, Grange Motors said.
Dean Spragg, head of business at Aston Martin Birmingham, which is part of Cambria Automobiles, said: “This is an incredibly exciting project, which will provide an enhanced, tailored experience for our Aston Martin customers and become a key gateway into one of the most prestigious collections of luxury car showrooms outside of the capital.
“This state-of-the-art showroom will have the distinction of being the closest dealership in the world to Aston Martin’s headquarters and sports car manufacturing facility at Gaydon.
“We are delighted that Aston Martin Birmingham will be the very first in the UK to embrace the brand’s new corporate identity.”
Mr Spragg added it would have Aston Martin’s design ethos incorporated into the building, complete with an art gallery and boutique elements for inside, as well as glazed facades, giving unobstructed views into the showroom.
He added: “This is a hugely significant development for the West Midlands economy, representing a vote of confidence in the region.”
Oliver Turner, regional president of Aston Martin in the UK and South Africa, said: “We are delighted at the plans for Aston Martin Birmingham, which fully align to our vision of providing the most sophisticated, luxury customer experience in the automotive sector.
“The significant investment by Grange represents the huge growth potential for Aston Martin in the region, as we continue a thrilling phase of new model introductions in the coming months.
“We look forward to working with Grange to create something unique on our doorstep in Birmingham.”
MOST EXPENSIVE ASTON MARTINS EVER SOLD
- 1934 Aston Martin Ulster Two-Seater
Sold for $1.5million in 2013 and one of 31 ever made
- 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible
Sold for $1.8million in 2015 and only nine were made
- 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Jet Coupe
Sold for $3.9million in 2013 as it was a one of its kind special-edition car
- 1965 Aston Martin DB5 “Bond Car”
Sold for $6.4million in 2019 and was featured in Thunderball starring Sean Connery as James Bond
- 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
Sold for $9.5million in 2021 and only 19 were made
- 1961 Aston Martin MP209 DB4GT Zagato
One of the two made and sold for $12.1million in 2018
- 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Grand Touring Competition Prototype
Sold for $21.4million in 2018 and only one was made
Sold for $22.5million in 2017 and only five were made
The news comes after The Sun put the new Aston Martin Vantage V8 through its paces and dubbed it a “world-beater”.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Meanwhile, Aston Martin has also unveiled its ultra-lux tower block that looks like a James Bond villain’s lair topped with a “Triplex Penthouse”.
The 66-storey waterfront property in Miami features a jaw-dropping penthouse which comes with its own supercar.
