Inexplicably, Aston Martin shut down production due to the Conoravirus Pandemic on March 27th, much later than many other auto manufacturers and despite the UK government declared a nationwide lockdown on March 23. The WHO declared a Pandemic on March 13th, why Aston Martin extended production for as long as possible despite escalating infection and death rates is deeply troubling. What is more troubling is that now Aston Martin wants to resume production ASAP. COVID-19 has placed the United Kingdom in a vice hold-grip, the flattening of the infection rate and a high number of daily recorded deaths is of deep concern, yet Aston Martin appears to be unflustered at best or just out of touch with reality.

At no point has Aston Martin said they intend to resume production when it is safe to do so? They have declared an intent to re-start operations on April 27, but even that looks unlikely considering the high daily death toll seen in the UK. The flattening of the so-called curve may not begin to happen until mid-May. 

Lawrence Stroll is the Canadian billionaire businessman who, along with an investment consortium, has plowed over £500m GBP of capital to shore up Aston Martin’s finances. Before that, the supercar company was on the edge of bankruptcy and has debts of £1bn GBP. That £500m GBP rescue package is a drop in the ocean. Aston Martin will require significantly more capital in the months and years to come.

Stroll’s first objective is to resume production of the DBX SUV which is expected to become a sales bonanza for the struggling company. In the meantime, Switzerland’s richest man and Mercedes Formula One boss Toto Wolff have made small investments, in Wolff’s case small being £37m GBP of his personal wealth.