China, which Aston Martin officially entered three years ago, has become the company's largest and fastest growing market in Asia, said Matthew Bennett, Aston Martin's Asia-Pacific director, during a press conference Tuesday in Beijing.

In 2010, Aston Martin delivered 110 cars in the country. Sales through October have doubled and could hit 500 units in 2012, Bennett said.

"China is not only the biggest but the fastest-growing by a long, long way [in the region]. In 18 months, we will see China and Asia-Pacific as a whole really on a par with the other big three markets."

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and other luxury brands have racked up impressive sales in China, where growing ranks of rich consumers are fueling sales of luxury items such as Gucci handbags and Rolex watches.

To win more customers in China, Aston Martin is introducing the V12 Zagato, which premiered at the Frankfurt auto show. The Zagato costs roughly 9 million yuan (1.0 million euros), including import tariffs of more than 100 percent.
Many of Aston Martin's popular models, such as Rapide and V8 Vantage Roadster, are already available here.

Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez told Reuters in September that he wanted a diversified geographical reach, with a fifth of the sales in China, a fifth in the United Kingdom, a fifth in the rest of Europe and a fifth in North America.

Aston Martin has five dealerships in China covering major cities and the surrounding areas. At least seven will be added, bringing the total to 12 by the end of 2012, he said.

Although China's economy is growing more slowly this year, Bennett remains optimistic about the potential of the world's largest auto market.

"We are still relatively new in China. We still see a very significant growth opportunity for us here," he said.
Other global luxury automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, also have announced investment and expansion plans in China.

Ford Motor Co sold Aston Martin for 479 million pounds (4.8 billion yuan) in 2007 to a consortium led by David Richards, the former Formula One Benetton and BAR racing boss, as well as two Kuwaiti funds.