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UK car production falls 13.6% in January as exports weaken, SMMT reports

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Britain’s car manufacturing output has slumped to its lowest point in more than seven decades after a devastating cyber attack brought Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) assembly lines to a standstill for more than a month.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported a sharp contraction in UK vehicle output at the start of the year, with total production down 13.6 per cent in January as weaker export demand weighed heavily on the sector.

A combined 67,415 vehicles left British factories during the month, comprising 65,249 cars and 2,166 commercial vehicles. Car production declined by 8.2 per cent compared with January 2025, while commercial vehicle output slumped by 68.6 per cent year on year.

The fall was primarily driven by reduced overseas demand. Although domestic appetite for UK-built cars remained broadly stable, export volumes softened, particularly in markets outside Europe. Exports typically account for the majority of British vehicle production, leaving manufacturers exposed to fluctuations in global demand and trade conditions.

The United States remained the second-largest destination for UK-built cars after the European Union, accounting for 14.1 per cent of exports. Japan followed with a 2.7 per cent share, while China and Turkey took 2.5 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.

Electrified vehicle output also declined. Production of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids and hybrid models fell by 10.6 per cent to 26,854 units, representing 41.2 per cent of total car output. Despite the drop, electrified vehicles continue to form a substantial share of UK production as manufacturers transition towards zero-emission platforms.

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The industry body said the weak start to the year reflected subdued global demand and underlined the importance of stable trade relationships. Protectionist measures and “made in Europe” proposals in some markets were cited as additional headwinds.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, described January’s figures as disappointing but pointed to expected recovery later in the year as new electric models enter production.

“Weak exports to markets beyond Europe amid soft demand delivered a disappointing start to the year for UK vehicle manufacturing,” he said. “It reinforces the need for a forward-looking trade agenda that secures existing preferential access and builds new ones with markets worldwide.”

The SMMT expects overall car production to increase by more than 10 per cent to around 790,000 units in 2026, with the potential to reach one million vehicles by 2027, provided new model launches proceed on schedule and investment conditions remain supportive.

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The outlook hinges on competitive energy costs, a strong domestic market and targeted supply chain support, the trade body said, as the sector continues its capital-intensive shift towards electrification.


Jamie Young

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

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Mondelez CEO worries high cocoa prices may return

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Mondelez CEO worries high cocoa prices may return

Company is investing in diversifying cocoa production around the world. 

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Revenues rise sharply at Leeds Building Society

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The building society said that it increased both savings and mortgage balances during 2025

Leeds Building Society says stress-testing requirements have unduly held some borrowers back.

Leeds Building Society has revisited its mortgage affordability assessments following guidance from the FCA.(Image: Taken from the Leeds Building Society image library. https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/press/im)

Profits fell slightly at Leeds Building Society even as its revenues grew to nearly £800m.

The society’s annual reports show an increase in total income to £794 during 2025. But over the same period, net profit fell slightly to stand at £275.5m.

The society said it supported its members through favourable savings rates, which helped increase savings balances by £1.1bn year on year to £54.0bn. Mortgage balances also grew to £51.9bn, the annual report revealed.

Bosses said they were make progress on a number of strategic targets, including a record investment in technology and systems to improve speed of inbound payments.

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It said it was committed to its branch network and its role in local communities included an ongoing partnership with the charity FareShare, plus hosting Citizens Advice advisers at 44 of its branches to provide financial and legal advice.

Chief executive Susan Allen said: “Yorkshire Building Society delivered a solid performance for the year ending December 2025, growing our mortgage and savings balances sustainably and sharpening our Purpose, Real Help with Real Life, to set a clear path for the future.

“We continued to provide our members with above market average savings rates and went further to make good homes possible for more people. We launched targeted, innovative products to help overcome the challenges people face in finding a good home and building financial wellbeing. With economic challenges likely to remain in 2026, our renewed Purpose – and the support we offer our customers and communities as one of the UK’s biggest mutuals – matters more than ever.”

Looking ahead, the society said it would continue its focus on its strategic priorities, delivering competitive products and services for its members, and maintaining its financial strength.

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It said that it expected high levels of competition in mortgages and savings to persist but that it had “confidence in our business model and financial resilience and are well placed to navigate future challenges or periods of economic uncertainty.”

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Arhaus, Inc. 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (NASDAQ:ARHS) 2026-02-27

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Q4: 2026-02-26 Earnings Summary

EPS of $0.11 beats by $0.02

 | Revenue of $364.85M (5.14% Y/Y) beats by $13.32M

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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California Resources set to report earnings ahead of merger close

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California Resources set to report earnings ahead of merger close

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Sunstone Hotel Investors earnings beat by $0.04, revenue topped estimates

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Sunstone Hotel Investors earnings beat by $0.04, revenue topped estimates

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Syensqo SA ADR 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (OTCMKTS:SYNSY) 2026-02-27

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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J.M. Smucker raises Hostess impairment costs by almost $1 billion

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J.M. Smucker raises Hostess impairment costs by almost $1 billion

Sweet Baked Snacks long-term growth outlook cut to 2%.

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Writing on the wall for letter delivery in Australia

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Writing on the wall for letter delivery in Australia

Australia will eventually follow Denmark’s lead and abandon its letter service, with deliveries of handwritten notes, Christmas cards and household bills destined to become a thing of the past.

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WWE’s Randy Orton Talks Retirement, Challenges Tom Brady to Take the RKO

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Randy Orton

WWE Superstar Randy Orton made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” and openly talked about his retirement.

He also touched on NFL legend Tom Brady’s comments on WWE, challenging him to take an RKO.

Randy Orton on His Eventual Retirement

According to Sportskeeda, Orton got candid withh McAfee about his 26-year-long career and how long he thinks he has left in the ring.

“I’m 46 in a couple of months, and you know, I can’t do this forever,” the 14-time World Champion said. “I’ve been doing it for 26 years. If I could do it another decade, I will.”

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“The work rate, the way that I wrestle, you know, maybe I could pull that out,” he added. “But I know that time’s coming.”

Orton also touched on the one thing he wants to be able to do before he retires, whenever that may be.

According to The Viper, he said he wants to become a world champion one more time.

“That’d be huge. I think right now you’ve got Triple H and myself tied at 14. John Cena, of course, just retired with 17 World Championships,” he said. “You got Ric Flair, I think it’s 16. I’d love to get one more, at least one more.”

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“It would mean the world to me,” he admitted.

Orton Challenges Tom Brady to Take an RKO

Orton likewise addressed the comments made by Tom Brady, who called professional wrestling “cute.”

“10, 15, 20 years ago, I would have been hot. I would have had choice words to say for Tom Brady,” Orton admitted. “But every second I’m in that ring, I am soaking it up.”

According to SEScoops, Orton then went on to challenge Brady, saying, “Tom, if you want to take an RKO, dude — call Pat. Pat will call me.”

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Watch Randy Orton’s full interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” below:

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Netflix pulls out of Warner Bros Discovery bid after Paramount offer

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Netflix pulls out of Warner Bros Discovery bid after Paramount offer

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav may have been counting on watching one last round in the Netflix vs. Paramount Skydance boxing match to acquire the media company he runs. What he might not have anticipated was that Netflix wouldn’t even bother re-entering the ring.

Thursday after the market close, WBD announced that Paramount Skydance’s last and best offer of $31 a share for its film studio, streaming platform and cable networks was superior to Netflix’s previously accepted bid of $27.75 a share for the studio and streaming assets.

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WBD’s declaration started a countdown clock: Netflix was granted four business days to match or beat Paramount’s new bid, but just an hour and 10 minutes later, Netflix left the arena.

NETFLIX BACKS OUT OF WARNER BROS BIDDING WAR AFTER PARAMOUNT MADE ‘SUPERIOR’ OFFER

ted sarandos netflix co-ceo

WBD said Paramount Skydance’s last and best offer of $31 a share for its film studio, streaming platform and cable networks was superior to Netflix’s previously accepted bid of $27.75 a share for the studio and streaming assets. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sa (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix / Getty Images)

In a joint statement, the streamer’s co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, said, “The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid.” 

Considering Sarandos’ tone in the final days of the process, the market should have been ready for the quick exit. In an interview Feb. 20 on FOX Business’ “Claman Countdown,” Sarandos, when pressed as to whether he’d match a potentially higher bid by Paramount Skydance, seemingly took a page out of former Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett’s “never overpay for an asset no matter how much you want it” playbook.

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The Netflix logo displayed on a building

Netflix was granted four business days to match or beat Paramount’s new bid, but just an hour and 10 minutes later, Netflix left the arena. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“We’ve been very disciplined buyers in our careers. Our shareholders know us and they expect us to continue to do what we do, which is remain a disciplined buyer,” Sarandos told FBN.

Netflix shareholders have never fully embraced the merger since the official bidding process began Nov. 20. Since then, Netflix shares have shriveled more than 19%.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
NFLX NETFLIX INC. 84.61 +1.90 +2.30%
WBD WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY INC. 28.80 -0.10 -0.35%
PSKY PARAMOUNT SKYDANCE CORP. 11.18 +1.02 +10.04%

Much of the concern focused on whether the $82.7 billion dollar cost might shake Netflix’s solid balance sheet, and whether the deal would pass regulatory muster.

NETFLIX CO-CEO ACCUSES JAMES CAMERON OF SPREADING ‘MISINFORMATION’ ABOUT WARNER BROS. ACQUISITION

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An aerial view of the Warner Bros. logo displayed on the water tower at Warner Bros. Studio

Netflix shareholders have never fully embraced the merger since the official bidding process began November 20. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Thursday evening when WBD confirmed the superiority of Paramount’s bid, Netflix shares saw a relief rally, soaring nearly 10% in after-hours trade.

In its statement, Netflix’s co-CEOs intimated they agreed with shareholders.

“This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price,” Sarandos and Peters said.

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