A Small Nation's Big Love for One of the Greatest Sports Cars Ever
The Porsche 911 isn't the kind of car you expect to see at the top of any country's sales charts, but the Principality of Andorra isn't just any country. This tiny nation, tucked high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, has crowned the legendary sports car as its best-seller for 2024. With so many compact crossovers and fuel-efficient sedans dominating the world market, this is the kind of statistic that makes car enthusiasts do a double take.
This insight originally came from a TikTok video by Launch Mode, which highlighted a report from Felipe Munoz (Car Industry Analysis), who works for auto research firm JATO Dynamics. The data showed that among the 2,379 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in Andorra last year, the Porsche 911 led the way with 83 units sold—a staggering 40.7% increase from 2023. That put it ahead of other performance-focused models, including the Toyota GR Yaris and even Porsche's own Cayenne and Macan.
With a population of just over 87,000, Andorra is known for its ski resorts, tax-friendly policies, and wealth. That last part plays a huge role in shaping the local car market. In 2024, the country saw 2,379 sales of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Leading the pack was the Porsche 911, with 83 units sold — an astonishing 40.7% increase from the previous year. That put it ahead of performance-focused models like the Toyota GR Yaris and even Porsche's own Cayenne and Macan.
There are a few key reasons why Andorra has become a haven for high-performance cars. First, the country's economic landscape makes luxury vehicles more attainable. Low tax rates and a strong tourism sector mean a significant portion of residents can afford cars that might be out of reach elsewhere.
Second, the terrain is a dream for drivers. Winding mountain roads, crisp alpine air, and breathtaking views create the perfect environment for a car like the 911 to stretch its legs. Finally, there's a strong local appreciation for driving culture. Unlike in larger nations where practicality often wins out, Andorrans have the means and the desire to buy cars that thrill.
What makes this trend even more fascinating is how different it is from the rest of the world. In the U.S., the Ford F-Series remains the undisputed king of car sales, with more than 700,000 trucks sold in 2024. The 911, while beloved, doesn't even come close to the top 25 best-selling vehicles in America. The contrast shows just how much geography, economy, and culture shape what people drive.
Andorra's love for the Porsche 911 is more than just a sales anomaly—it's a reflection of a unique automotive culture. In a country where driving isn't just about getting from point A to point B, but about the thrill of the journey, it makes perfect sense that one of the world's most celebrated sports cars would take the crown.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is this penny stock on track for an explosive recovery in 2025?
Penny stocks have a well-earned reputation for being volatile. But these tiny businesses are also capable of potentially delivering explosive gains. And investors who snapped up shares in IG Design Group (LSE:IGR) a month ago are already experiencing some of this first-hand. The gift and celebration packaging company has just kicked off a turnaround strategy that's started yielding some positive results. This has helped repark some fresh investor sentiment, sending the share price up more than 40% in the last month alone, with a 34% gain in a single day at the end of May. Despite this surge, the IG Design share price is still trading significantly lower compared to a year ago. That means there's still a long way to go for the business to complete its recovery. Yet, if analyst forecasts are correct, that could soon change. A big part of renewed investor sentiment is management's decision to exit DG America's business. Despite generating close to $500m in revenue, the segment has struggled to deliver a profit. And with US tariffs only adding more pressure, leadership concluded that the 'headwinds facing the division are untenable'. The decision to dispose of problematic DG America was met with praise from investors. Why? Because the company's now significantly reduced its exposure to the weaker US retail market environment that it's struggled to navigate. At the same time, IG Design has just freed up a lot more capital to reinvest in stronger areas, refocusing the business into more profitable ventures. Subsequently, profit margins and free cash flow generation are expected to rise. And institutional analysts have revised their earnings per share forecasts for 2026 to reach $0.43 versus the $0.16 achieved in 2024 – a 170% improvement. Obviously, there's no guarantee that this target will be hit since we're still in the early stages of its turnaround plan. But if it does get things back on track, the team at Research Tree think the penny stock could skyrocket by 120% to 198p by this time next year! No investment's ever risk-free, and that's especially true for IG Design Group. Despite being the source of many of its problems, DG America was also responsible for around half of its revenue stream. The company's now dependent predominantly on the UK, European, and Australian markets, which have their own fair share of challenges. A big source of renewed investor sentiment is IG Design's ability to rebuild its scale at a higher margin in these markets. But a failure of execution could douse the flames of optimism and send the penny stock tumbling back down in the wrong direction. Even if management makes all the right moves, there's still the consumer spending cycle that can throw a spanner in the works. IG Design's product portfolio consists entirely of discretionary items which aren't likely to be in high demand if economic conditions take a turn for the worse – something that's completely out of management's control. All things considered, I'm cautiously optimistic and think investors comfortable with high-risk, high-reward ventures may want to consider taking a closer look. The post Is this penny stock on track for an explosive recovery in 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Zaven Boyrazian has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Does the Arbuthnot or the NatWest share price offer the best value?
NatWest Group (LSE:NWG) and Arbuthnot Banking Group (LSE:ARBB) are two UK-listed banks with very different profiles but both attracting investor interest. With the NatWest shares price surging, I want to look at other options. So let's break down their forward valuations and dividend prospects to see which might offer better value for 2025 through 2027. NatWest's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is expected to fall from 9.18 times in 2025 before falling back to 8.24 times in 2026 and 7.54 times in 2027. This reflects a continued earnings growth as the macroeconomic situation improves. Arbuthnot, on the other hand, has a P/E falling from 7.37 times in 2025, then declining to 6.28 times in 2026 and 5.49 times in 2027. Arbuthnot's lower multiples suggest it's trading at a discount relative to NatWest, though its earnings are less predictable. NatWest's dividend per share is forecast to increase from 17p in 2024 to 29p in 2025, 32p in 2026, and 36p in 2027, translating to a dividend yield rising from 5.35% to 6.84%. Its payout ratio is steady around 40-51%, indicating a balanced approach between rewarding shareholders and retaining capital. Arbuthnot's dividends are expected to fall from 2024 — an exceptional year at 69p — falling to 53p in 2025, and then rising to 57p in 2026, and 61p in 2027, with the yield reaching 6.39% at the end of the period. Its payout ratio's expected to fall from 45% in 2024 to 35% in 2027. NatWest's price-to-book-ratio (PBR) is forecast to rise from 0.82 times in 2024 to 1.12 times in 2025. It then eases to 0.96 times in 2027, showing growing investor confidence. Arbuthnot's PBR's lower, around 0.54 times in 2024 with no onward forecast. Both banks trade at similar enterprise value-to-revenue multiples near 0.8–0.85 times in 2025, indicating comparable market pricing relative to revenues. NatWest benefits from a strong capital position, improving net interest margins, and a supportive UK banking environment, driving steady earnings growth. Arbuthnot, a smaller, more niche player, also shows rapid revenue growth but more earnings volatility, which may appeal to investors seeking higher risk and reward. Arbuthnot looks slightly cheaper, based on forward earnings metrics, despite having a marginally lower dividend yield. I would however, suggest that the lower payout ratio could lead to faster dividend growth. Personally, I favour the AIM-listed bank. However, I appreciate that being AIM listed, it may be easily overlooked by investors. Coupled with its smaller size, it may continue to trade at a discount to larger peers. I believe investors should consider both stocks, and decide which is right for their portfolios. However, my choice is Arbuthnot, and I've recently opened a small position in the bank. The post Does the Arbuthnot or the NatWest share price offer the best value? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool James Fox has no position in Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Value stocks in aerospace… yes, please!
Melrose Industries (LSE:MRO) and Airbus are both major players in the aerospace sector, albeit the former being much smaller than the latter. However, I also believe they're both rather exciting value stocks, providing exposure to a fast-growing sector with secular trends contributing to strong expected earnings growth. And by secular trends, I'm referring to rising global air traffic, a growing middle class, and surging demand for more efficient, sustainable aircraft. Advancements in digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming manufacturing and maintenance, while defence spending and aftermarket services provide resilient long-term growth opportunities for the sector. What's more, both companies are executing ambitious growth strategies and, crucially, their forward-looking financial metrics suggest the market may be underestimating their long-term potential. Starting with Melrose, the company's transformation into a pureplay aerospace specialist is already showing results. In 2024, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) surged 45% to 26.4p, with operating profit up 38% and margins expanding. Management has set a bold, but achievable, target of more than 20% annual EPS growth through to 2029. Noting the starting point, this could lead us to adjusted EPS between 65.7p and 80.6p by then, depending on the growth scenario. Even using 2023 as the starting point, EPS could reach 55.8p to 71.3p. With shares trading at 475p, this implies a forward 2029 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio between just 5.9 times and 8.5 times. I'd suggest that's remarkably low for a business with a strong economic moat and one with claims 70% of its revenue comes from products where it's the sole producer. Moreover, the forward price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio also points to severe undervaluation. Using the forward P/E ratio of 13.7 times for 2025, and a 20% earnings growth rate, the PEG ratio comes in a 0.69. Yes, the company's carrying a significant amount of debt. — £1.3bn. And if things don't go to plan, that's a bit of a concern. However, even factoring in the debt, the PEG ratio's significantly under one, and far below the global industrials sector average of around 1.8. The stock might not grow 1,000% like Rolls-Royce has from its nadir, but it absolutely could surge. I think we just need to see some solid earnings beats (beating expectations) in order to gain the market's attention. As for Airbus, which is listed in Europe, the financial story is one of steady improvement and growing shareholder returns. The stock currently trades at 24.6 times forward earnings for 2025. This falls to 20.2 in 2026, and just 17.6 by 2027 as earnings accelerate. Taking the forward P/E for 2025 and dividing it by earnings growth of 16%, we get a PEG ratio of 1.54. I don't think that's problematic considering its duopoly in aircraft manufacturing. I'm sure investors will be keen to point out concerns relating to tariffs and even quality assurance. However for me, it remains a quality company with a strong net cash position — €11.8bn. I believe both these stocks should be carefully considered by investors. I'm not the only bull either. Analysts currently see Airbus as undervalued by 13% and Melrose by 33%, suggesting meaningful appreciation in the near term. The post Value stocks in aerospace… yes, please! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool James Fox has positions in Melrose Industries Plc and Rolls-Royce Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Melrose Industries Plc and Rolls-Royce Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
