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The automaker has attributed an earnings downgrade to US-imposed trade duties, while simultaneously calling on the British authorities for more proactive support.

The company, which builds its vehicles in factories across England and Wales, revised its profit outlook on Monday, representing the second such revision this year. The firm expects a larger loss than the previously projected £110m deficit.

Requesting Government Support

The carmaker expressed frustration with the British leadership, telling shareholders that while it has communicated with representatives on both sides, it had positive discussions with the American government but needed greater initiative from British officials.

It urged British authorities to protect the interests of niche automakers such as itself, which provide thousands of jobs and add value to regional finances and the wider British car industry network.

Global Trade Impact

The US President has disrupted the worldwide markets with a trade war this year, significantly affecting the car sector through the introduction of a 25 percent duty on April 3, on top of an previous 2.5 percent charge.

In May, the US president and Keir Starmer agreed to a agreement to cap tariffs on 100,000 UK-built vehicles annually to 10%. This tariff level came into force on 30th June, coinciding with the last day of the company's second financial quarter.

Agreement Criticism

Nonetheless, Aston Martin expressed reservations about the bilateral agreement, stating that the introduction of a American duty quota system introduces additional complications and restricts the company's ability to accurately forecast earnings for this financial year end and potentially quarterly from 2026 onwards.

Other Factors

Aston Martin also cited reduced sales partly due to increased potential for supply chain pressures, particularly after a recent cyber incident at a major UK automotive manufacturer.

The British car industry has been rattled this year by a cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover, which led to a manufacturing halt.

Market Response

Shares in the company, traded on the LSE, fell by more than 11% as trading opened on Monday at the start of the week before recovering some ground to be down 7%.

The group delivered 1,430 cars in its third quarter, missing earlier projections of being roughly equal to the 1,641 cars sold in the equivalent quarter last year.

Upcoming Initiatives

Decline in sales comes as Aston Martin gears up to release its Valhalla, a rear-engine hypercar priced at approximately £743,000, which it hopes will increase profits. Deliveries of the car are expected to begin in the last quarter of its fiscal year, though a forecast of about 150 units in those final quarter was below earlier estimates, reflecting technical setbacks.

Aston Martin, well-known for its appearances in the 007 movie series, has initiated a evaluation of its upcoming expenditure and spending plans, which it indicated would probably result in reduced spending in engineering and development compared with previous guidance of approximately £2 billion between its 2025 to 2029 financial years.

Aston Martin also informed investors that it does not anticipate to generate profitable cash generation for the second half of its present fiscal year.

The government was approached for a statement.