The expansion of Aston Martin’s global dealership network is set to continue with the appointment of a new dealer in South Africa. The Aston Martin franchise has been awarded to the Daytona Group led by Managing Director, Justin Divaris, and will trade as Aston Martin Sandton.

The Daytona Group has various automotive interests including Hyde Park BMW, Daytona Luxury Cars and is currently developing South Africa’s largest dealership which will open in November 2005.

Situated in Sandton Isle, just outside Johannesburg, at the Group’s new retail development, Aston Martin Sandton will occupy 1,000 square metres of the 7,000 square metre facility and will retail new and previously-owned Aston Martins along with service, parts and workshop facilities.

Justin Divaris, Managing Director of Daytona Group, explains, “As sports and classic car enthusiasts we recognise the importance of the rich heritage and passion associated with the Aston Martin marque and are delighted with our appointment by Aston Martin in this previously unrepresented market.

“We will run the business with the same personal touch that goes into every element of the brand and build strong customer relationships founded on superior customer service.”

Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

Aston Martin currently produces the DB9 Coupe, the DB9 Volante (convertible) and the Vanquish S. At the end of the year deliveries of the V8 Vantage will begin and it is this model which will help Aston Martin achieve its growth plans of 5,000 cars per year. Aston Martin has 115 dealers which will increase to 125 worldwide by the end of this year to support this increase in production.

The first local deliveries of these vehicles, in limited numbers, will take place in the last quarter of this year.

Aston Martin DB9 Volante

Bill Donnelly, Aston Martin’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “Aston Martin recognises that South Africa’s luxury sports car market is increasing at a fairly rapid pace. If we are to provide the levels of care which our new customers deserve it is essential that we appoint a dealer who will live and breathe our brand values. We are confident that Aston Martin Sandton has the passion, expertise and knowledge to offer this service.

“Having lived in South Africa, I am personally delighted to see the positive developments which are taking place. The emergence of a significant and growing luxury sports car market means the time is now right for Aston Martin to enter this region.”

Divaris concludes, “We consider the opportunity to represent Aston Martin in South Africa to be a privilege and our single most exciting and rewarding accomplishment to date.”

Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S