Aston Martin reclaims Aussie distributorship

BRITISH performance car manufacturer Aston Martin has terminated its Australian import agreement with Monarch Motors and will deal directly with its three local dealers.

The move was confirmed by Aston Martin's director of public affairs, Mr Harry Calton.

"It is part of an overall policy that in future we will operate directly with all of our dealers rather than working through an importer," he said.

"The only remaining territories where we had importers were Australia and Japan. We have now terminated the importer agreements in each of these territories." The Australian market will be overseen by a yet to be appointed Asia-Pacific sales operation manager.

Mr Calton also confirmed a dealer expansion in Australia to a minimum of seven and a maximum of 10, as part of a worldwide growth of dealers from the current 65 to 140.

The Ford-owned company is planning this expansion on the back of a new smaller, more "affordable" model, which will play a vital role in boosting the marque's sales to as many as 5000 per year.

"No decision has yet been made on timing of a third model line," Mr Calton said.

"It depends on Programme Approval from Ford and our obtaining local authority planning permission for the construction of new facilities - hopefully a decision within the next six months.

"If (the decision is) favourable, new product is three to four years away." Meanwhile, Mr Calton confirmed the arrival of the new 300km/h V12 Vanquish in Australia in the last quarter of 2001.

Pricing is expected to start at $400,000.