Aston Martin Releases Profit Warning Due to US Tariff Pressures and Seeks Official Support
The automaker has blamed a profit warning to Donald Trump's tariffs, as it urging the British authorities for more active assistance.
The company, which builds its vehicles in factories across England and Wales, lowered its profit outlook on Monday, representing the second such downgrade this year. It now anticipates deeper losses than the previously projected £110 million deficit.
Seeking Official Backing
Aston Martin expressed frustration with the UK government, informing shareholders that while it has engaged with representatives from both the UK and US, it had positive discussions directly with the American government but needed more proactive support from British officials.
It urged UK officials to safeguard the interests of niche automakers like Aston Martin, which provide numerous employment opportunities and contribute to local economies and the broader UK automotive supply chain.
Global Trade Effects
Trump has disrupted the global economy with a trade war this year, heavily impacting the automotive industry through the introduction of a 25 percent duty on April 3, in addition to an existing 2.5% levy.
During May, the US president and Keir Starmer reached a agreement to cap duties on 100,000 UK-built vehicles annually to 10 percent. This tariff level came into force on 30th June, coinciding with the last day of Aston Martin's Q2.
Trade Deal Criticism
However, the manufacturer criticised the trade deal, stating that the introduction of a US tariff quota mechanism introduces additional complications and limits the company's capacity to accurately forecast earnings for this financial year end and potentially each quarter starting in 2026.
Additional Factors
Aston Martin also pointed to weaker demand partially because of greater likelihood for supply chain pressures, especially following a recent cyber incident at a major UK automotive manufacturer.
UK automotive sector has been shaken this year by a cyber-attack on the country's largest automotive employer, which prompted a manufacturing halt.
Financial Reaction
Shares in Aston Martin, traded on the LSE, fell by over 11 percent as trading opened on Monday morning before partially rebounding to be 7 percent lower.
The group delivered one thousand four hundred thirty vehicles in its Q3, falling short of previous guidance of being roughly equal to the one thousand six hundred forty-one vehicles delivered in the same period the previous year.
Upcoming Plans
Decline in demand coincides with the manufacturer prepares to launch its flagship hypercar, a mid-engine hypercar costing around $1 million, which it hopes will increase earnings. Shipments of the car are scheduled to start in the last quarter of its fiscal year, though a projection of about 150 deliveries in those final quarter was below earlier estimates, reflecting technical setbacks.
The brand, well-known for its roles in James Bond films, has initiated a review of its upcoming expenditure and spending plans, which it said would likely lead to reduced spending in engineering and development compared with earlier forecasts of about £2bn between its 2025 and 2029 fiscal years.
The company also informed investors that it no longer expects to generate positive free cash flow for the latter six months of its present fiscal year.
The government was approached for comment.