logo
Inchcape acquires Askja distributor in Iceland

Inchcape acquires Askja distributor in Iceland

Yahoo22-07-2025
UK-based independent automotive distributor Inchcape says it has agreed to acquire Iceland-based Askja and its associated businesses. Askja is described as Iceland's 'leading automotive distributor'.
The company says the bolt-on acquisition further scales and enhances the Inchcape Group's geographic footprint in its Europe and Africa region and broadens the range of Inchcape's OEM partnerships.
Over the last 20 years, Askja has developed a broad-based and diversified portfolio of OEM partnerships in Iceland, where it is the exclusive distributor for a range of leading global OEM partners, across a diverse range of automotive sub-sectors, including Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans and Kia - a new OEM partner for Inchcape.
Inchcape on the opportunities ahead in the auto industry's transformation
Askja generated revenue of £150m in FY 2024, employing 260 people. During FY 2024, Iceland's TIV (Total Industry Volume for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) was approximately 12,000 new vehicles, of which Askja holds a 16% market share.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals, and is expected to complete during Q3 2025.
Duncan Tait, Inchcape Group Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Askja, which is an excellent strategic fit for Inchcape, given its strong track record, diversified OEM brand portfolio, talented people and market leadership position. Iceland, a new market for Inchcape, represents an attractive opportunity to expand our footprint in our Europe and Africa region, while the acquisition also broadens the range of our OEM partnerships, as well as strengthening a number of our existing OEM relationships.
'This acquisition exemplifies our Accelerate+ strategy in action, by scaling and diversifying our geographic profile and OEM partner portfolio. By combining the local knowledge and specialist expertise of the acquired businesses with Inchcape's global, market-leading technology capabilities, this transaction will drive value for Inchcape, our shareholders, brand partners and new customers in Iceland."
Jón Trausti Ólafsson, Chief Executive of Askja, added: 'We are entering a new chapter with Inchcape where we join a strong company with an excellent reputation and diverse global operations. The combination of Askja's deep local expertise and culture with Inchcape's global know-how will ensure we can continue to lead the Icelandic automotive sector, an exciting new market for Inchcape in Northern Europe. I am very proud of Askja's achievements over the past two decades, including what we have delivered for our OEMs and customers, and what we have built for our people. We look forward to an exciting future with Inchcape."
"Inchcape acquires Askja distributor in Iceland" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hyundai, GM Plan to Jointly Develop Five Vehicles, Including Electric Van
Hyundai, GM Plan to Jointly Develop Five Vehicles, Including Electric Van

Bloomberg

time9 minutes ago

  • Bloomberg

Hyundai, GM Plan to Jointly Develop Five Vehicles, Including Electric Van

Hyundai Motor Co. and General Motors Co. plan to jointly develop five vehicles that will hit the market in 2028, including an electric van for North America, as the two automakers deepen strategic ties amid intensifying competition from China. The pair will develop four vehicles for the central and South American market, including a compact SUV, sedan and two pick-ups, all with the flexibility to use either an internal combustion engine or a hybrid system, they said in a statement Thursday.

Is Novo Nordisk Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold Before Q2 Earnings?
Is Novo Nordisk Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold Before Q2 Earnings?

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Is Novo Nordisk Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold Before Q2 Earnings?

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is facing serious headwinds. After enjoying a strong run fueled by demand for its obesity treatments, the obesity drug pioneer is now under pressure from rising competition, particularly from Eli Lilly's (LLY) weight-loss drugs, as well as trial setbacks for its next-generation therapies. In fact, things took a sharp turn on July 29, when the company cut its full-year sales growth guidance for the second time in just three months and named a new CEO. The market response was swift and brutal, with NVO shares plunging over 21% in a single day. Now, with second-quarter earnings just around the corner on Aug. 6, does Novo Nordisk's recent plunge present a golden buying opportunity, or is it a clear signal to keep your distance? More News from Barchart Dear Nvidia Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for August 27 Options Traders Expected Palantir Stock's Tamest Earnings Reaction in a Year. Did They Get It Right? Tesla Gains on Elon Musk's New Pay Package. Is TSLA Stock a Buy? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! About Novo Nordisk Stock Best known for its blockbuster weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare leader with a long-standing focus on chronic disease. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, the company has built a strong foundation in diabetes care while expanding its reach into obesity and other severe health conditions. The company commands a market capitalization of about $217.9 billion. While Novo Nordisk has been a trailblazer in the obesity drug market, its stock has hit a rough patch. Softer demand for its blockbuster drugs, combined with intensifying competition in the weight-loss space, has taken a toll on investor sentiment. The stock has tumbled a staggering 66% from its 52-week high of $139.74 reached in August 2024, and it's currently down 44.7% year-to-date (YTD). In stark contrast, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has managed to notch a gain of approximately 7.1% over the same period, while its rival Eli Lilly has seen only a marginal drop so far this year, highlighting just how far Novo has fallen out of favor with the market. Given its underwhelming price action, Novo Nordisk stock is starting to look like a value play. Currently trading at just 12.5 times forward earnings, it's priced well below the sector median of 16.87x, and dramatically lower than its own five-year average of 30.92x. Novo Nordisk's Q1 Earnings Snapshot In early May, Novo Nordisk posted a solid first-quarter earnings report for fiscal 2025, but the shine was dulled by a cautious outlook. Total revenue climbed 19% year-over-year (YOY) to 78.1 billion Danish kroner, powered by a massive 85% surge in Wegovy sales, which hit 17.4 billion Danish kroner. Ozempic also continued to perform, with sales rising 18% to 32.7 billion Danish kroner. Profits also impressed, with net profit climbing 14% to 29 billion Danish kroner, while operating profit increased 22% to 38.8 billion Danish kroner. But despite these promising numbers, Novo trimmed its full-year sales growth and operating profit growth guidance, citing 'lower-than-planned penetration of branded GLP-1 treatments in the US.' The company pointed to the growing presence of U.S. compounding pharmacies, which have been legally producing copycat versions of Wegovy and Ozempic under an FDA-approved exemption for addressing drug shortages. That growing parallel market has begun to chip away at Novo's momentum. On a more promising note, the company completed its REDEFINE 2 trial during the quarter, with its next-generation drug CagriSema delivering an impressive 15.7% weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight conditions and type 2 diabetes. Novo plans to file for its first regulatory approval in early 2026, potentially marking the next significant chapter in its obesity pipeline. Novo Nordisk Slashes Guidance Again and Names New CEO On July 29, Novo Nordisk held a conference call that left investors rattled, as it unveiled major leadership changes and another sharp downgrade to its 2025 financial outlook. The company slashed its full-year sales growth guidance to 8%-14%, down from the previously expected 13%-21%. Operating profit growth was also revised lower, now projected at 10%-16% compared to May's forecast of 16%-24%. The revised outlook sent a strong signal that Novo is bracing for a more challenging year ahead. A big part of the pressure comes from its obesity blockbuster, Wegovy. In its update, Novo pointed to several headwinds weighing on U.S. sales, including the continued rise of compounded GLP-1 knockoffs, slower-than-expected market expansion, and increasing competition. These challenges have clouded the outlook for one of Novo's key growth drivers, sparking concerns about whether the company can maintain its dominance in the rapidly growing weight-loss market. Adding to the uncertainty, Novo also announced a leadership shake-up. Maziar Mike Doustdar, the current EVP of international operations, will take over as CEO on Aug. 7, succeeding Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, whose surprise resignation was announced in May. The transition comes at a pivotal moment, with the company under pressure to protect market share and reignite growth amid shifting dynamics in the obesity drug landscape. What Do Analysts Think About Novo Nordisk Stock? Despite all the swirling uncertainty, there's still a hint of optimism in the air. With Novo Nordisk set to unveil its Q2 earnings on Aug. 6 and a new CEO stepping in shortly after, Wall Street hasn't lost faith, with analysts leaning cautiously bullish, giving the stock a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' overall. Of the 19 analysts offering recommendations, seven advise a 'Strong Buy,' nine suggest a 'Hold,' one advocates a 'Moderate Sell,' and the remaining two maintain a 'Strong Sell.' NVO's average analyst price target of $71.75 suggests 47% potential upside from current levels. However, the Street-high target of $112 implies that shares can rally as much as 129.5% from current price levels. On the date of publication, Anushka Mukherji did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on

FlexGen Expands Global Battery Energy Storage Leadership with Court Approval of Powin Assets Acquisition
FlexGen Expands Global Battery Energy Storage Leadership with Court Approval of Powin Assets Acquisition

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

FlexGen Expands Global Battery Energy Storage Leadership with Court Approval of Powin Assets Acquisition

The purchase will reinforce FlexGen's leadership, serving an additional 14.5 plus GWh of battery energy storage system projects. DURHAM, N.C., August 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FlexGen Power Systems, LLC ("FlexGen"), a leading provider of battery energy storage solutions and energy management software, today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, the Court presiding over the Chapter 11 cases of Powin, LLC and Powin affiliates, has approved FlexGen's acquisition of a substantial portion of Powin's business, advancing FlexGen's mission to future proof global grids and growing energy demand through battery energy storage. Through the acquisition, FlexGen will own all of Powin's IP, including hardware IP, software IP and information technology systems, along with a significant spare parts inventory. Upon closing of the acquisition, FlexGen will support over 25 GWh of battery energy storage systems and 200 projects across 10 countries in its portfolio. FlexGen's Remote Operations Center (ROC) will gain system visibility to ensure continuity for Powin customers, while its FlexGen HybridOS® controls software, analytics modules and lifecycle services will be made available to provide additional insights and best-in-class system availability. "This is a significant milestone, not just for FlexGen, but for the entire industry, as storage is no longer a nice-to-have, but rather, essential to meeting global energy demand and opportunities," said FlexGen CEO, Kelcy Pegler. "With this acquisition, we will continue to deliver the reliability and intelligence the grid, data centers and communities need to thrive in a world of growing energy needs." Drawing on 15 years of integration experience with over 65 configurations from 22 global vendors, FlexGen is prepared to deliver immediate continuity and support for Powin customers. With its full suite of lifecycle services and hardware-agnostic FlexGen HybridOS® software products, FlexGen meets operators where they are today while driving an AI-centric roadmap for its analytics module and sophisticated controls software. The impact is futureproofing customer investments with maximum uptime and minimal disruption. "Our top priority is customer success and delivering immediate operational stability, maximizing the value and performance of their systems. FlexGen's proven financial strength means we're a capital-light software and services partner that will remain in business to deliver on our customer promises," added Gary Cristini, FlexGen's CFO. "We thank Powin for their early-mover role in shaping the dynamic and important grid-scale battery market and honor our commitment to carry on that legacy and deliver exceptional uptime, reliability and customer success." For more information about FlexGen and this transition, visit: If you're an existing Powin customer with questions, please reach out to: PowinSupport@ About FlexGen Power Systems, LLC. FlexGen provides industry-leading software and services for deploying, managing and optimizing battery energy storage systems. FlexGen leverages decades of software, engineering, and procurement expertise to solve today's toughest energy challenges that enable the transition to a modern electric grid. FlexGen HybridOS® energy management software seamlessly integrates with any battery OEM and offers advanced analytics and AI-driven insights that allow energy storage owners to deploy diverse power market strategies and integrate various generation forms, enhancing grid stability and economic returns. Serving more than 25 GWh and over 200 energy storage systems enabled by FlexGen, we are trusted by the most technically and commercially demanding developers, utilities, government agencies, and industrial companies in the world. View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries: flexgen@ Sign in to access your portfolio

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store