Luxury-car maker Aston Martin (www.global.astonmartin.com) has completed the second phase of its project to convert three super-hangers at a former Ministry of Defence site in South Wales into a ‘state of the art’ vehicle assembly plant.

Its directors held their first board meeting at the St Athan site last month to mark the completion of building work.

Directors and shareholder representatives were briefed on the progress of the project, which should see production of the company’s first sports utility vehicle (SUV) begin in late 2019.

The St Athan plant is set to create up to 750 new jobs, and 150 people have so far been recruited as part of the pre-production preparations. The fit-out of the super-hangars — the third and final phase of the construction project — has now begun.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: “We are delighted at the progress being made at the St Athan site. The team have done a fantastic job in advancing the facility, and I was proud to chair our first board meeting at the new plant.

“Wales has a long history of engineering excellence, and the board is delighted that it will play such an important part in Aston Martin’s development.”

Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for economy and transport, said: “I am delighted to see our partnership with Aston Martin — right in the heart of our Cardiff Airport and St Athan Enterprise Zone — coming to fruition.

"When complete, the site will provide highly skilled employment and world-class apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive sector for many generations to come.”