The first dealership in Shanghai will be Aston Martin's flagship outlet and will operate alongside a service facility near Hongqiao airport.

Cars will also be sold from another new site in Beijing.

The operations will be overseen by a company called GruppeM, which the Warwickshire-based sport car maker claims “has unparalleled experience of the luxury sports car market in China.” Company chief executive Dr Ulrich Bez said Aston Martin had been seeking a Chinese dealer partner for some time. “We are confident that GruppeM have the expertise and knowledge to help us develop Aston Martin in China,” he added. Aston Martin estimates that the Chinese market for luxury goods was worth $6bn (£3bn) in 2004 and has grown rapidly since.