ASTON Martin's next new model will be the first 'collaborative' car to be developed by companies in the Ford Premier Automotive Group. Due out in three years' time, the roadster destined to drive the specialist manufacturer's annual output to 5,000 units will be a team effort involving development experts from Volvo, Lincoln and Jaguar.

'The idea is to draw on the best practices available in each of the group's brands - and the result promises to be a terrific package,' a spokesman said at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Volvo will provide all the safety engineering for the model, which is likely to challenge the Porsche Boxster. The car's climate control system will be handled by Lincoln and Jaguar will provide technical know-how.

Planning permission is expected next month for a new dedicated assembly facility at the group's Land Rover site at Gaydon in Warwickshire.