Aston Martin yesterday openned its first dealer in China in Shanghai's Xin Tian Di District, according to a Chinese newspaper, citing the company's press release.The Shanghai Aston Martin Retail Center, franchised by GruppeM, extends Aston Martin's global dealership network into China for the first time in the company's 94-year history. The center is designed to hold five sleek models including the DB9 Volante, DB9 coupe and V8 Vantage. These models went on sale yesterday with prices costing between two million yuan (US$270,270) and three million yuan each, Shanghai Daily reported.There will also be an exclusive Aston Martin service facility located close to Hongqiao airport, and another showroom for three Aston Martin cars will be located in the Beijing's Central Business District early next month.China's luxury car market in China has been developping rapidly in recent years. However, Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer, explained that it was important to wait until the right partner was found.

"Aston Martin has been carefully monitoring the growth of the luxury sports car market in China," he said, "but it was vital that we found the right partner who not only understood Aston Martin's brand values but also the luxury market. We are confident that GruppeM have the expertise and knowledge to help us develop Aston Martin in China."Aston Martin currently has 120 dealers in 28 countries around the world and in addition to Shanghai and Beijing, recent openings include Cape Town and Bordeaux.