The profound crisis in which I pay i car sector in Europe It is in front of everyone’s eyes and is formalized now also on the occasion of the results of the 1st quarter, which have pushed many European car houses a review the forecasts for the current year. It is the effect of uncertainty unleashed by “direct and indirect” duties On the car sector, announced by the United States after the Liberation Day and now during the rethinking by the Trump Administration. The uncertainty certainly does not benefit the sector that already suffered from a structural crisis fueled by the all too ambitious targets of the EU.
Stellantis suspends the Guidance 2025
Stellantis closed the first quarter 2025 with Net revenues equal to 35.8 billion euros, in drop of 14% Compared to the same period 2024, mainly due to the lower volumes of deliveries to 1.2 million units (-9%).
However, Stellantis was forced to “suspend financial guidance for 2025 due to uncertainties linked to customs rates “. The company explains that” it is working hard with the political authorities regarding customs rates, while adopting measures to reduce their impacts “.
Meanwhile, Stellantis confirms that the process of choice of the new CEO “is well underway” And it ensures that “it will end within the first half of 2025”.
Mercedes sees “significant impacts” on 2025 estimates
Also Mercedes launches a similar warning, while not withdrawing the guidance, but explains that the forecasts for 2025 have deteriorated due to the duties announced by the USA, from which they are expected “Significant impacts” not currently quantifiable.
The high -end car house closed the first quarter of the year with a drop in revenues of 7.4% to 33.2 billion euros, against one decrease in sales cars of 3.6% to 446 thousand units, in particular electric ones (-14.3% to 41 thousand units).
The operating result (EBIT) collapsed by 40.7% 2.3 billion and net profit of 42.8% to 1.73 billion euros. The cash generation, on the other hand, is growing at 2.3 billion (+5.6%). The net liquidity of the group is equal to 33 billion, which the group judges “sufficient to manage the current phase of uncertainty”.
Volkswagen for now resists, but useful go down
Volkswagen closes the first quarter of the year with Useful in heavy dropeven if the big name of the German car reports a recovery of deliveries and revenues, thanks to the good performance of sales in Europe and Latin America. Volkswagen reported a increase in deliveries of 1% to 2.1 million vehicles, while i revenues increased by 2.8% to 77.6 billion, thanks to the growth recorded in Europe (+4%) and South America (+17%) which has counterbalanced the decline in the USA (-2%) and China (-6%).
The operating result (EBIT) dropped by 37% to 2.87 billionequal to a margin of 3.7%. The discounts discounts extraordinary posts for a total of 1.1 billion euros, net of the recurring ninth voices, EBIT stands at 4 billion, with a margin that would rise to 5.1%.
The unknown duties also weighs on the perspectives of 2025even if the group confirms the estimate of a growing turnover up to +5%, while the operational margin on sales is expected between 5.5%and 6.5%. These forecasts – said the German Big – do not include the impact of the recently announced duties.
