James Bond to the rescue as Aston Martin saves jobs

Luxury sports car maker Aston Martin is roaring full speed into 2005 - and throwing a jobs lifeline to dozens of Jaguar workers - reports icBirmingham.

The Warwickshire-based firm has already secured the futures of 60 Jaguar employees at Brown's Lane with the offer of new jobs at its Gaydon headquarters.

And more job expansion is around the corner for James Bond's favourite car manufacturer as it gears up for the launch of the new V8 Vantage at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Aston Martin spokesman Peter Panarisi said the Ford-owned minnow - which launched its new factory at Gaydon just over a year ago - was going from strength to strength.

"Five years ago, we were a small provincial manufacturer of luxury sports cars. But over the last five years, we have been through a significant transformation.

"Last year, we recruited 250 people in advance of the new car, which will be launched in Geneva.

"We aim to produce around 3,000 a year, which will be our biggest model."

Mr Panarisi said Aston Martin fans faced an 18-month waiting list for the £103,000 DB9 and a sixmonth wait for its flagship model, the £174,000 Vanquish, made in Newport Pagnell.

The company received 80 applicants for just seven technician and paint-sprayer vacancies at Gaydon before Christmas and has already snapped up 60 Jaguar workers from Brown's Lane ahead of the end of car production in Coventry later this year.

"Last year, there was a large recruitment drive and there will be more people joining us this year, although not as much as last. Aston Martin is a real success story," he added.

Thanks to `Goldeneye` for the alert.

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