Aston Martin Hints U.S. Plant Could Be in Alabama

If Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. decides to move forward on a U.S. factory, the facility may be located in Alabama, according to CEO Andy Palmer.

He tells Autocar that it would make sense to open an assembly facility in the southern state because Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz unit already operates a car and crossover plant there. Last year Daimler acquired 5% of Aston Martin in exchange for supplying the British luxury sports car maker with engines and electronic components.

Aston Martin is believed to be looking for a place to build a conventionally powered version of the all-electric, all-wheel-drive DBX concept it unveiled at the Geneva auto show a month ago. Palmer says the sporty four-seat GT would broaden the company's product lineup.

Media reports say the DBX could share its platform with the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe crossover that Daimler has said could go into production as early as 2016. Daimler revealed the GLC Coupe in near-production form at the Shanghai auto show two weeks ago.