So far all of the Aston Martin Rapide models were made by Magna Steyr in Austria. From the second half of 2012 though, it’ll be back in the UK.

Back in 2008 when Aston was preparing the Rapide for production, the top branch managers felt that making the car alongside the sports models at the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire would lower their efficiency and lead to compromise in the production of other models. So they contracted Magna and they did a good job making a car up to the very best standards.

Now Aston Martin believes their own plant is fully capable of handling that, seeing as they are now making a lineup of eight models.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “In 2008 we had facility restrictions at Gaydon which indicated that production of Rapide at Gaydon would likely compromise production of our other cars. We were not prepared to do this.

“Now, three years on things are very different – Gaydon is more established, more flexible and more efficient. While our overall volume has not changed significantly, we now produce a far richer model mix – eight model lines (plus five variants) compared to three model lines (plus two variants) in 2008 – so Rapide production is now possible.

“I would like to place on record our gratitude to Magna Steyr and their team of dedicated employees who have become part of the Aston Martin family in the last few years and met all our requirements and expectations.”