Aston Martin's recovery under billionaire Lawrence Stroll is progressing slowly as the luxury carmaker posted another loss. The FTSE 250 company recorded a £66m pre-tax loss in the first three months of this year, which is 18% narrower than the same period last year. However, total vehicle sales edged down by 1%.
Aston Martin's share price climbed by nearly 3% on Wednesday morning to 41p, as analysts identified tentative signs of progress. Stroll, a Canadian F1 magnate, took the reins at Aston Martin in 2020 after his consortium injected £182m into the iconic British carmaker. Yet his turnaround efforts have so far fallen short of restoring the company to full throttle, with the firm announcing last year that it would cut hundreds of jobs after profits nosedived.
Aston Martin saw revenue surge by 16% to £270m in the first three months of the year, although net debt climbed 15% to £1.5bn. The Warwickshire firm, celebrated for its role in the James Bond franchise, sold 939 cars so far this year, marginally down from 950 units during the same period in 2025. Domestic sales proved a drag, with 131 vehicles sold in Britain, running 26% behind 2025 figures.
However, Aston Martin recorded 11% volume growth across the Americas, moving 354 units in the region. The company reported that sales of its new Valhalla sports car are bolstering margins, having garnered strong critical acclaim. Aston Martin shifted 102 of these vehicles in the first quarter. The carmaker also sold the naming rights to its F1 team for £50m this year, strengthening cashflow, though total available cash was 29% lower than in December at £178m.
The group stated that the war in Iran has yet to affect its business, but it is monitoring the impact on demand, consumer confidence, and supply chains. Chief executive Adrian Hallmark said: "Whilst we remain mindful of the uncertain global macroeconomic and geopolitical context, including the current conflict in the Middle East, we are focused on executing our strategy."
Stockbrokers suggested a return to profitability is not beyond the realms of possibility, though they noted that Aston Martin's recovery has yet to gather momentum. Mark Crouch, market analyst at eToro, said: "On the surface Aston Martin's numbers look encouraging... but investors, long battered and bruised, are unlikely to be convinced just yet. Beneath Aston's polished exterior is a business still under significant strain, burning cash as it goes."
The group is based in Gaydon in the West Midlands and has a factory in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.
