Shares in luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) dropped 5p or 7% to an all-time low of 69p on news the US would introduce a 25% ‘customs surcharge’ on all imported cars starting this month.

Other European and Asian carmakers also saw their shares slide, as imports make up around 50% of vehicles sold in the US, and concern spread to the supply chain.

While wholesale deliveries of Aston Martin cars were down across the board last year, the Americas still accounted for the largest share of the company’s sales at 1,928 units or 32% of the total.

In its year-end presentation, the company said it expected a ‘material’ improvement in its results with positive adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) this year and positive free cash flow in the second half.

Unfortunately, we suspect it won’t be long before the firm has to revise its outlook in the face of 25% tariffs on its sales into the US. 

The company has subsequently announced plans to raise £125 million. This will be achieved through an investment from executive chair Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree consortium (while asking for an exemption to the rule which would usually trigger a mandatory takeover when shareholdings exceed 30%) and a sale of its minority stake in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team.

‹ Previous2025-04-03Next ›