Q1 2025 Trading Update
24 April 2025
Inchcape plc, the leading global automotive distributor, announces its Q1 trading update covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025
Q1 2025 trading update
Further progress, with proactive management action in an uncertain market environment
o Q1 performance in line with management expectations, with market share gains in key markets:
o Inchcape new vehicle volumes were down (3)%, ahead of underlying TIV2, which was down (4)%
o Group revenue of £2.1bn, down (5)% at constant currency:
§ Organic revenue1 down (5)%, as expected, reflecting mixed market momentum and tough comparators
§ Reported revenue down (8)%, driven by translational currency headwinds
o Operational performance reflects Inchcape's diversified and scaled business model across our regions:
§ Americas: continued improvement in performance, with further growth
§ APAC: headwinds continue in several key markets
§ Europe & Africa: lower revenues, driven by order bank unwind
o Continued progress on strategy and capital allocation:
o Further success in scaling and optimising:
§ Seven Distribution contract wins in Q1 2025: Smart in Colombia, Uruguay, and Ecuador, New Holland in Ethiopia, BYD in Lithuania and Latvia; Iveco in Hong Kong. Immaterial contract exit of Komatsu in Ethiopia
o Continued disciplined approach to capital allocation, supported by Inchcape's highly cash generative nature and strong balance sheet:
§ £250m share buyback programme progressing well, with approximately £54m already repurchased
o Inchcape remains well positioned and taking proactive action in an uncertain market environment:
o Dynamic and complex tariff situation - impacts currently unclear
§ Latest data suggests demand not yet being impacted, beyond usual trends
o Proactive management action to ensure Inchcape remains well positioned to support key stakeholders:
§ Conservative inventory management, supported by data-driven approach
§ Sustained discipline on costs, strong focus on cash generation, with leverage remaining well below 1x limit
§ Collaboration with OEM partners to capitalise on emerging opportunities
o Guidance for FY 2025 unchanged, excluding potential impacts from the evolving tariff situation
o Another year of growth expected, with product cycles skewing growth to H2 2025
o Over the medium term, the Group remains focused on delivering against >10% EPS CAGR target
Duncan Tait, Group Chief Executive, commented:
"We achieved further operational and strategic progress during the first quarter, evidenced by market share gains in key markets and several contract wins, and the progression of our £250m share buyback programme. As the leading global automotive distributor, Inchcape remains well positioned to support our key stakeholders in navigating the current market uncertainty, as our experienced leadership team has done during challenging market environments in previous years.
"Demand is not currently being impacted by the tariff situation, although we do expect to see potential impacts on supply from our OEMs, the competitive environment and market demand. We are taking proactive steps to support our key stakeholders, including taking a conservative approach to managing inventory levels, ensuring we remain disciplined on costs, focusing on cash generation and maintaining our strong balance sheet.
"Looking further ahead, we remain excited about Inchcape's growth prospects, driven by our strong relationships with winning OEMs and our ability to grow market share through differentiated technology capabilities and contract wins. This is supported by our strong balance sheet, cash generation capabilities and high returns, which provide resilience through-the-cycle. We remain fully focused on delivering against our target of >10% EPS CAGR over the medium term."
1: Organic growth is defined as sales growth in operations that have been open for at least a year at constant foreign exchange rates. In 2024 we disposed of a non-core retail aftersales business in the Americas and has therefore been removed from the comparative period.
2. Excluding Thailand and Argentina, which are substantial markets where Inchcape volumes are immaterial
3. In addition to this press release, we have published Q1 25 market data which can be found on our website. Link: Results, Reports + Presentations - Inchcape
Conference call today
A conference call for analysts and investors will be held today, Thursday 24th April at 08:30 (UK time).
Dial-in details (UK wide): +44 (0) 33 0551 0200; Toll free: 0808 109 0700
Password (if prompted): Quote 'Inchcape Q1' when prompted by the operator.
Webcast details: To register for the webcast of the event please follow this link. A replay of the call will be available via the Company's website, www.inchcape.com later today.
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Financial calendar
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Ex-dividend date for 2024 full year dividend |
1st May 2025 |
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Record date |
2nd May 2025 |
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Last election date |
23rd May 2025 |
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Payment date |
16th June 2025 |
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AGM |
15th May 2025 |
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Pre-close trading update |
Late June 2025 |
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2025 Interim results |
29th July 2025 |
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Q3 trading update |
23rd October 2025 |
Contacts
Inchcape plc (Investor queries): |
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Rob Gurner |
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+44 (0)7825 189 088 |
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Krishma Arora |
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DGA (media enquiries): |
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James Melville Ross |
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+44 (0)20 7038 7419 |
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James Styles |
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About Inchcape
Inchcape is the leading global automotive distributor, with operations across six continents. Inchcape works with our mobility company partners in smaller, more complex and harder-to-reach markets, which tend to be higher growth with low motorisation rates. By combining our in-market expertise with our unique technology and advanced data analytics, we create innovative customer experiences that deliver outstanding performance for our partners - building stronger automotive brands and creating sustainable growth.
Our distribution platform connects the products of mobility company partners with customers, and our responsibilities span product planning and pricing, import and logistics, brand and marketing to operating digital sales, managing physical sales and aftermarket service channels. Delivering for our partners, our customers and our people - so they can realise their ambitions in the new world of mobility. The Group is headquartered in London and employs over 17,000 people globally.
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