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The Guardian
8 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Tesla's UK sales fall almost 60% in July; Trump attacks ‘woke' JLR as it announces new boss
Update: Date: 2025-08-05T08:27:22.000Z Title: Just in: Sales of Teslas in the UK more than halved, year-on-year, in the UK last month as the electric carmaker's struggles continue. Content: Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news Graeme Wearden Tue 5 Aug 2025 10.27 CEST First published on Tue 5 Aug 2025 08.42 CEST 10.25am CEST 10:25 Industry body data just released shows that just 987 new Teslas were registered in the UK in July, almost 60% less than the 2,462 registered in July 2024. This means Tesla's UK market share shrank to 0.7% in July, from 1.67% a year ago. For 2025 to date, Tesla sales in the UK are 7% lower, during a year in which CEO Elon Musk has faced heavy criticism for his – now-soured – relationship with Donald Trump. The wider UK electric car sector grew in July, though. Sales of battery-powered vehicles (BEVs) rose by 9.1% to 29,825, giving BEVs a 21.3% share of the market. China's BYD more than quadrupled its sales last month, to 3,184 in July from 768 a year ago. The company recently launched a relatively cheap electric car, the Dolphin Surf, in the UK. BYD's sales are up 514% during 2025 to 22,574, up from 3,672 in January-July 2024. That's only slightly fewer than Tesla which has shifted 23,708 cars so far this year. Last month Tesla reported a large drop in quarterly deliveries, as demand faltered due to the backlash over CEO Elon Musk's political stance. Tesla's sales have also been hurt by its aging model line-up – the company has been rolling out an updated Model Y this year, dubbed the 'Juniper' refresh. Yesterday, Tesla announced it was handing Musk stock options worth almost $30bn, in an attempt to keep him committed to the company for the next few years. Overall, the UK's new car market shrank by 5% in July with 140,154 units registered, which is the weakest July since 2022. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, says: July's dip shows yet again the new car market's sensitivity to external factors, and the pressing need for consumer certainty. Confirming which models qualify for the new EV grant, alongside compelling manufacturer discounts on a huge choice of exciting new vehicles, should send a strong signal to buyers that now is the time to switch. That would mean increased demand for the rest of this year and into next, which is good news for the industry, car buyers and our environmental ambitions. 9.35am CEST 09:35 The UK's Domino's Pizza Group has cut its profit forecast this morning, warning that costs are climbing as sales fall. The group, which has the exclusive rights to the Domino's brand in the UK and Ireland, reported that total orders were flat in the first half of this year, and that like-for-like sales fell 0.7% in April-June. Pre-tax profits have fallen by almost a third, on a statutory basis, from £59.4m to £40.5m. Domino's now expect underlying profits to come in between £130m to £140m, down from a previous forecast of £140.8m-£149.7m. Several factors were blamed, including weak consumer confidence and rising employment costs. CEO Andrew Rennie blamed higher employment costs – following last year's budget – and uncertainty over what chancellor Rachel Reeves might announce this autumn, saying: 'There's no getting away from the fact that the market has become tougher both for us and our franchisees, and that's meant that the positive performance across the first four months didn't continue into May and June. Given weaker consumer confidence, increased employment costs and uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Statement, franchisees are taking a more cautious approach to store openings for the time being. Shares in Domino's Pizza Group have fallen by 19% in early trading. Updated at 9.36am CEST 9.12am CEST 09:12 Overnight, UK luxury-car maker Jaguar Land Rover has named a new CEO – winning a blast from Donald Trump. JLR named P B Balaji, the finance boss of parent company Tata Motors, as its new chief executive, increasing the Indian owner's influence over the company. Balaji will replace Adrian Mardell, who had run JLR for the last few years. Mardell's tenure will be remembered for last year's rebranding, and the launch of a new concept electric car which looked nothing like a traditional Jag, which captured attention and wound-up the rightwing commentariat. Anti-woke cheerleader Donald Trump was quick to give Mardell a hoofing on his way out the door. Posting on his Truth Social site, Trump declared that Jaguar's 'stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement' had been 'A TOTAL DISASTER!', adding: The CEO just resigned in disgrace, and the company is in absolute turmoil. Who wants to buy a Jaguar after looking at that disgraceful ad. Shouldn't they have learned a lesson from Bud Lite, which went Woke and essentially destroyed, in a short campaign, the Company. Trump also hailed actor Sydney Sweeney's new advert for American Eagle as a triumph, saying the 'HOTTEST' ad meant jeans were now 'flying off the shelves.' Sweeney is probably in Trump's good books after it emerged she was a registered Republican voter in Florida. 8.46am CEST 08:46 BP is also planning to pump more cash to its shareholders. The company is raising its quarterly dividend by 4 per cent to 8.32 cents a share, subject to board approval. It has also announced a new $750m share buyback programme. 8.42am CEST 08:42 Oil giant BP is launching a new cost-cutting scheme, despite reporting better than expected profits, as its incoming chairman gets to grips with the company in the face of pressure from activist investors. BP has beaten City expectations this morning by reporting a smaller drop in underlying profits than expected in the last quarter. On an underlying replacement cost basis, profits rose to $2.35bn in April-June. That's 15% lower than the same quarter a year ago when the company benefitted from higher oil and gas prices, but also a jump on the $1.38bn profits posted in January-March. Analysts had forecast a smaller rise in underlying profits, to $1.8bn. But despite this beat, CEO Murray Auchincloss says 'there's much more to do'. Auchincloss tells shareholders this morning: In advance of chair elect, Albert Manifold joining the board on 1 September, he and I have been in discussions and have agreed that we will conduct a thorough review of our portfolio of businesses to ensure we are maximizing shareholder value moving forward - allocating capital effectively. We are also initiating a further cost review and, whilst we will not compromise on safety, we are doing this with a view to being best in class in our industry. Earlier this year, BP announced plans to cut more than $5bn from its previous green investment plan. But activist investor Elliott Management has been pushing BP to cut its operating expenses more aggressively and demanding more cost reductions. Manifold is due to become chairman on 1 October, a month after joining the board as a non-executive director. 8.42am CEST 08:42 Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets, and the world economy. UK car sales dipped last month, after a bumper June. British new car registrations fell about 5% year-on-year in July, according to preliminary data released this morning by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Battery electric vehicles are now projected to account for 23.8% of new registrations in 2025, slightly up from SMMT's previous forecast of 23.5%. The SMMT should release its final figures for July at 9am. The data comes as the UK government announces that France's Citroën will be the first company to benefit from its new discount scheme, which cuts the cost of a new EV for consumers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed buyers will get discounts of £1,500 off 4 Citroën models – the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo - from today. The scheme aims to bring down the price of electric cars to more closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts. 9am BST: UK new car sales for July 9am BST: eurozone service sector PMI for July 9.30am BST: UK service sector PMI for July 1.30pm BST: US trade data for June 2.45pm BST: US service sector PMI for July Updated at 9.23am CEST
The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
Drivers lose up to 565 hours of their lives to pesky car admin, survey finds
MOTORISTS 'lose' a shocking 565 hours of their lives to car-related admin and maintenance planning, according to a new study. A poll of 2,000 drivers revealed that, on average, they spend a full day (24 hours) each year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues. 3 The study also found that six in 10 (63 per cent) have missed important occasions because they couldn't get there. In fact, over the past year, drivers reported having to change plans for an average of four events due to undetected car issues. The research was commissioned by BMW, whose Proactive Care service is designed to reduce time spent thinking about vehicle upkeep. It uses real-time vehicle data to alert drivers to potential issues before they become problems. To bring this to life and raise awareness of the technology affording drivers greater peace of mind, BMW created a striking clock visual, sculpted in sand using car tyres, to symbolise the precious hours that could be reclaimed. Werner Pagenstert, spokesperson for BMW Group UK, said: 'Time is the ultimate luxury and shouldn't be lost to car admin or unplanned maintenance. "Smart technology can help drivers reclaim those 565 lost hours and spend more time doing the things that matter most to them.' The study also found nearly half of drivers (46 per cent) say motoring admin takes up valuable headspace. Many still rely on traditional methods to stay organised, with more than half (52 per cent) using diaries to manage service schedules, while 37 per cent wait for a dashboard alert before taking action, and 37 per cent actively delay visits to the garage. The impact this admin has on enjoyment is significant, with two thirds (68 per cent) of motorists saying they'd enjoy driving more with greater peace of mind. This comes as the average Brit spends only a tenth of their day doing what they actually want to do, with the rest absorbed by obligations and life admin. When asked how they'd prefer to use time reclaimed from car-related admin, a third (33 per cent) said they'd read more, 32 per cent would prioritise exercise, and a quarter (25 per cent) would book themselves a much-needed holiday. For many, getting away from it all is key - 37 per cent crave more trips and holidays to escape daily pressures and one in five (20 per cent) admit that these occasions are the only time they can switch off from everyday stress and life admin. As a quarter (24 per cent) said true relaxation only comes once they're physically away from their everyday stresses. BMW Proactive Care has partnered with the Seren Collection hotels in Wales to offer one driver a chance to win a two-night luxury stay for two, complete with a tasting menu experience and use of an all-electric car for the duration of the trip. Spokesman Werner Pagenstert added: 'With so many people valuing this quality time away, we wanted to offer drivers the chance to do exactly that. 'And we're hoping to help people make the most of those precious hours that can be reclaimed from irritating admin and car maintenance.'
Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Tesla's UK sales drop 60% year-on-year in July, SMMT data shows
Aug 5 (Reuters) - Tesla's (TSLA.O), opens new tab new car sales in Britain dropped nearly 60% to 987 units in July from a year earlier, figures from industry body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed on Tuesday. Data last week showed registrations of new Tesla cars in several key European markets fell in July, despite a revamp to its signature Model Y, as the EV maker struggles with a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political views, regulatory challenges and rising competition. Overall, new car registrations in Britain fell about 5% year-on-year in July to 140,154 units, the SMMT said, with growth in battery electric vehicle sales moderating to 9.1% in the month. Battery electric vehicles are now projected to account for 23.8% of new registrations in 2025, slightly up from SMMT's previous forecast of 23.5%. "July's dip shows yet again the new car market's sensitivity to external factors, and the pressing need for consumer certainty," SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said in a statement. The new electric car grant offers a helpful financial boost to encourage people to buy BEVs. However, it's still unclear which models will be eligible, so some buyers are waiting, the SMMT said. "Confirming which models qualify for the new EV grant, alongside compelling manufacturer discounts on a huge choice of exciting new vehicles, should send a strong signal to buyers that now is the time to switch," Hawes said.
