Migrating north - 6 May 2025

STELLANTIS WILL NOT PUBLISH PROFIT FORECAST

Stellantis has decided not to publish their profit forecast, stating that the tariffs cause far too much uncertainty for the financial year ahead. Their financial results for the first quarter of 2025 continued to disappoint, with a 14% drop in revenue and a 9% drop in vehicle shipments. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

40% DROP IN PROFITS FOR VW

Volkswagen’s financial results for the first quarter of 2025 are in and are not great. They did make a profit but it is down 40% on last year, being £1.9 billion with a 1.4% rise in sales. They stated that the increased number of EVs being bought had impacted them due to the much reduced profit margin in electric vehicles. Click this Autocar article to learn more.

IMPROVED ASTON MARTIN PERFORMANCE DESPITE LOSS

Aston Martin announced a pre tax loss of £76.9 million, for the first quarter of 2025, which is significantly down from last year’s £138.8 million. Revenue was also down, 13%, to £233.9 million, showing how the cost cutting efforts were working for the company. You can learn more, by clicking this Autocar link here.

DROP IN REVENUE FOR VOLVO

Volvo too were announcing their financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and they were down. Deliveries, earnings and revue are all down. Interim CEO Håkan Samuelsson announced cost cutting measures across their global network. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.

PORSCHE IN-HOUSE BATTERY PRODUCTION PLANS CHANGE

Porsche are not going to expand their in-house battery production, as was originally planned. Instead that money will go to software and other products, as they claim the slow uptake in EVs is to blame. This all comes as they announce a further dramatic drop in China sales, down 42% for the first quarter, and an expected drop in revenue and profits for the company overall. You can learn more, by clicking this Autocar article link here.

MCLAREN GETS A NEW BOSS

Following the merger of McLaren and Forseven, Michael Leiters has stepped down with immediate affect. Forseven’s boss Nick Collins, who coincidentally was named CEO of McLaren Group Holdings - the new overarching company that encompass McLaren and Forseven. Click this Autocar article link to read more.

SKODA OPENS ONLINE SHOWROOM WITH AMAZON

You will soon be able to research and peruse your next Skoda via Amazon, in the UK. On top of which you can book your test drive before visiting a Skoda showroom and buying, if you so wish, from the car company directly. If you want to learn more, click this Top Gear article link for more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Citroën C5 Aircross

Citroën has shown off the new C5 Aircross, using the same Stellantis Medium platform as the Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland. This will be their flagship model. Visually there are some attractive elements and the interior looks a good mix of interesting materials and finishes. There will be a multitude of powertrains, including an electric version. Prices, for the hybrid are expected around £35,000 with a rise to about £40,000 for the EV. Click this Autocar article to read more.

Renault Trafic, Estafette and Goelette electric vans

Renault has revealed actual examples of their electric vans, rather than renders. With an EV Trafic, where you can expect a lot of versatility in its configuration and use. The Estafette is a European version of the Rivian vans Amazon uses in the US, where the parcel delivery function has been thought through extensively. Finally the Goelette is a Trafic cab, with a huge list of possible combinations and types of rear body. You can read more, by clicking this article link from Professional Van.

Isuzu D-Max EV

Isuzu, at the Commercial Vehicle Show, recently showed their electric only pickup, with a really decent towing and load capacity, the same capability as the ICE version, in terms of off road ability and a range up to 163 miles. That may not sound much, to a car owner, but to the intended end user that should easily meet their needs. To find out more, click this Professional Pickup article link here.

LUNCHTIME WATCH: HOW DOES PETROL GET TO YOUR CAR

AutoShenanigins has produced an excellent video that shuld be part of the chemestry sylabus, explaining how we in the UK get petrol up to the point of putting it in our cars. Click this YouTube link to watch.

LIST OF THE WEEK: 1990S NON-GERMAN SALOONS

A shorter than what we have recently shared list, this week, but looking at the title you will understand why. What were the options, in the 1990s if you didn’t or weren’t allowed on the company car list, to have something German? Do you agree with Andrew’s choice? What would you have? Click this Hagerty link to find out more.

AND FINALLY: DRIVING AROUND THE COAST OF BRITAIN IN A LAND ROVER

Derek Hernaman took his Series 1 Land Rover, put an 80 year old caravan on the back of it, and drove around the coast of Britain. Took him a little while and he was escorted back on the last leg with 50 other Land Rovers, as he also raised £12,000 for charity. What a lovely trip to undertake. Click this BBC News article link here, for more.