Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings – Could Goldfinger’s limited edition strategy be the way forward for this massive loss-maker?

26.02.2025

Last year the £1bn-capitalised motor manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (LON:AML) sold only 6,030 of its iconic vehicles, that was 9% lower than the previous year’s 6,620 units.

This morning the group reported its Final Results for the year to end-December 2024 and they were none too clever.

Revenues were down just 3% at £1,583.9m (£1,632.8m), with adjusted EBITDA 11% lower at £271.0m (£305.9m), the reported loss before tax was 21% higher at £289.1m (£239.8m), while the group’s net debt rose a staggering 43% to £1,162.7m (£814.3m).

Despite these awful results the group is putting on a positive front and predicting a material improvement in its financial performance for this year.

Management Comment

Recently appointed CEO Adrian Hallmark stated that:

"After a period of intense product launches, coupled with industry-wide and Company challenges, our focus now shifts to operational execution and delivering financial sustainability.

I see great potential in Aston Martin, and our goal is to transition from a high-potential business to a high-performing one, better equipped to navigate future opportunities and uncertainties.

We have all the vital ingredients for success, with the support of strategic shareholders, the capability of world-class technical partners, a revitalised brand, talented people, and the strongest product portfolio in our 112-year history.

This line-up is further strengthened by the upcoming Valhalla, our first mid-engined hybrid supercar, with deliveries starting in H2 2025.

Moving forward, my priority is to drive operational excellence and discipline as we continue our transformation into a sustainably profitable company.

We are committed to demonstrating that our strategy delivers long-term growth.

This starts in 2025 where we expect materially improved financial performance to deliver positive adjusted EBIT for the full year and free cash flow in the second half of 2025."

Chairman Lawrence Stroll commented:

"With the support of Aston Martin's strategic shareholders and the Board, we now move into 2025 under Adrian's leadership with a truly world-class range of new core models and the eagerly awaited launch of Valhalla.

Our focus remains on the continued execution of our brand and product strategy, in addition to greater operational rigor, which will underpin progress towards our near- and medium-term financial targets, creating value for all our stakeholders."

Looking ahead to the group’s future growth this year and beyond, its Management reported that having undertaken a complete portfolio transformation over the last 18 months, requiring significant efforts from across our teams, the group moves into 2025 with the expectation of operating in a more stable product environment.

Importantly though, in support of its future growth aspirations, it remains committed to ongoing incremental product development, innovating models throughout the lifecycle to meet the requirements of the group’s customers.

The strictly limited DB12 Goldfinger Edition demonstrated the success of this strategy with overwhelming demand in 2024.

That was followed in January 2025, by the launch of the highly anticipated new Vantage Roadster, some 12-months after the Coupe model was unveiled.

The company stated that it will continue along that path in the future.

Operationally the group reported that its difficult but necessary cost-cutting plans means that it looks to reduce its global workforce by 5%, some 170 employees, saving £25m, in its programme to reduce costs and drive future investments.

Looking to the future the group is starting a process of organisational adjustments, while strengthening its resources to handle its ongoing plans.

Earlier this month it announced that it was stalling its plans for its first electric vehicles, from a 2026 launch date to now being before 2030.

In My View

This group has guzzled away an absolute mass of money over the years – with investors hoping to see it soon recover into profitability.

That may now be two years or so out, but it does appear to have started to sort out its operational problems and costs.

Its shares this morning are down over 8% at 101p,

An inseparable Bond

Aston Martin. James Bond.

Arguably the most famous relationship in modern cinematic history.

From the moment Q first introduced 007 to the Aston Martin DB5 in the 1964 spy thriller, Bond’s timeless relationship with the iconic British sportscar began.

The Silver Birch coupe has since become synonymous with the character of James Bond and of a life lived in the fast lane.

Across the globe.

Across the decades.

Now, DB12, the world’s first super tourer pays tribute to the world’s most famous coupe. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the seminal spy movie’s release, the legendary partnership has been immortalised in a limited run of 60 super tourers. Introducing the exquisitely engineered Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition.

Prepare to be stirred, not shaken.