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Stellantis and Aston Martin have become the latest European carmakers to issue profit warnings as the industry is hammered by competition from cheaper Chinese rivals.
In recent weeks, Germany’s Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all cut their annual guidance, increasing concerns about a downturn in the industry on the back of slowing growth in electric vehicle sales and weaker demand.
Sales of foreign cars have fallen sharply in China because of stiff competition from local rivals, while Chinese carmakers offering low-cost EVs are making inroads in international markets. The US and Europe have responded with higher tariffs.
Stellantis on Monday forecast that its adjusted operating margin for 2024 would be 5.5-7 per cent, down from previous guidance of 10 per cent. Its free cash flow would be negative, in the range of €5bn-€10bn, it added, from a positive figure previously. Its shares fell more than 8 per cent in response.
“Competitive dynamics have intensified due to both rising industry supply, as well as increased Chinese competition,” Stellantis said in a statement.
UK luxury-car maker Aston Martin also blamed weaker demand in China and supply chain problems when it warned on Monday that profits would be lower and that it would no longer be free cash flow-positive in the second half of the year.
One challenge for Stellantis, which makes Peugeot, Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles, has been its high inventories in the US, where it has been offering discounts to try to resolve the issue.
The group said it was now aiming to reduce its US vehicle inventory — which was 430,000 at the end of June — by 100,000 vehicles by early 2025.
The Stellantis warning marks a sharp reversal in fortune for the world’s fourth-biggest car manufacturer, raising the pressure on chief executive Carlos Tavares at a time when the company is also launching a search for his successor in 2026.
Stellantis was created through a megamerger between Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA, owner of Peugeot, in 2021. Tavares, who joined PSA in 2014, helped forge the alliance and was known for his focus on seeking higher profit margins through cost cuts.
On Monday, Aston Martin cut its wholesale volume target for this year from 7,000 to 6,000 vehicles, blaming late component deliveries by some of its suppliers, increasing the challenge for Adrian Hallmark, who took over as chief executive at the start of September.
In a call with investors, Hallmark said Aston Martin needed to lower its vehicle delivery target to protect the company from weaker demand in China and higher supply chain costs.
The London-listed company said as a result, its adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation margin was now likely to be in the high teens, instead of its previously targeted low 20 per cent range.