# Aston Martin Lagonda Global to focus on engineering and marketing programmes

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/aston-martin-lagonda-global-to-focus-on-engineering-and-marketing-programmes/412814201
- Published: 2020-04-20T08:04:03+01:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc** (LON:AML) has today released a statement
from Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll.

“I am truly excited to be taking on the role of Executive Chairman of this great
British company, Aston Martin Lagonda.  In the midst of the most challenging environment,
globally, that any of us have ever experienced, all of my and the management team’s
energies will now be dedicated to building on the inherent strengths of the Company,
its Brand, engineering, and the skills of its people to forge the foundations of
a bright future.  Our ambition for the Company is significant, clear and only matched
by our determination to succeed.  The rights issue and the investment that I, and
my co-investors in the consortium, have made has underpinned the financial security
of, and our confidence in, the business. We can now focus on the engineering and
marketing programmes that will enable Aston Martin to become one of the preeminent
luxury car brands in the world.

In this first year we will reset the business.  Our most pressing objective is to
plan to restart our manufacturing operations, particularly to start production of
the brand’s first SUV, DBX, and to bring the organisation back to full operating
life. We will do this in a way that ensures we will protect our people, wherever
they work – their safety is our overwhelming concern.  Alongside the return to production,
we will be undertaking the necessary rebalancing of supply to demand for our core
models.  In the months ahead, as the world starts to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic,
we will start to reinvigorate our marketing initiatives to continue to build our
order book.  In 2021, Aston Martin will take its place on the Formula 1^(TM) Grid
as a highly competitive Works team for the first time in over 60 years. This will
give us a significant global marketing platform to strengthen our Brand and engage
with our customers and partners across the world.

We will continue to focus significant effort and investment into the continued development
of our range of mid-engined cars.  These are a crucial next stage in the expansion
of our product line-up.  Descended from the awesome Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar,
the Valhalla and Vanquish are set to position Aston Martin firmly in this sector
and complete our range of highly engineered and beautiful sports cars. In the longer
term we intend to commit to producing electric cars to combine performance and luxury
with environmental [sustainability](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/sustainability-green-stocks-news).

There is a hugely exciting opportunity for Aston Martin Lagonda Global, and an enormous
amount of hard work to be done to achieve our ambitions.  I have spent the past 
few weeks getting to know the business and new colleagues.  I have been impressed
with their passion, dedication and craftsmanship in making our beautiful cars.  
I am also impressed by and hugely appreciative of the significant efforts being 
made by everyone at Aston Martin Lagonda  to support the business as we manage through
this uncertain time,   including our proud contribution to supporting the NHS through
the development and manufacture of much needed personal protective equipment (PPE).
I am confident that collectively we have the skills, the brand, the product and 
the financial strength to achieve those ambitions over time.  When we do, we will
have built Aston Martin into the highly valued company that it should be, and in
which our customers, staff, partners and shareholders will share with pride.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Penny Hughes and her colleagues
on the Board for all that they have done in recent months to secure the rights issue
and our investment, thereby safeguarding the future of the Company.  They have all
been professional, thorough and considered throughout our engagement with the Board
and played a significant part in giving my co-investors and me, the confidence to
support this fundraising.  The process to identify and appoint new Independent NEDs
is under way. As Executive Chairman I look forward to working for the benefit of
all shareholders and stakeholders.”

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