Latest news with #MAN
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘This truck is our home!' How Bobby Bolton found love and purpose on a 42,000-mile road trip
On the eve of his 30th birthday, Bobby Bolton found himself living in a mouldy caravan on a derelict farm in Hertfordshire. His relationship of 11 years had just ended, the construction business he had spent five years building was collapsing and he only had a few hundred pounds left in the bank. 'I had moved out of the flat I shared with my ex, borrowed money from her to buy this caravan and had such low self-esteem about the direction my life and career was headed that I isolated myself,' he says. 'I couldn't socialise and I was stooping so much when I walked that I felt myself getting back issues. My mum thought I was suicidal.' She pleaded with him to come home and live with her in Wigan, but Bolton refused. 'It felt like the ultimate defeat.' He compromised on a weekend visit instead. Driving the 200 miles north, Bolton soon ended up in the pub with old school friends. Several pints in, he saw something that would change his life. 'This battered old Land Rover Defender filled with kit pulled up outside the pub and a couple got out. The man had a big shaggy beard and the woman had wild hair and they both had this look of adventure in their eyes,' he says. 'The Land Rover had a bumper sticker on it that read 'Family Expedition', and I suddenly realised what I needed was to get out on the road like them. I wanted to rediscover my purpose, and that boiled down to three questions: working out where I wanted to live, who I wanted to live with and what I wanted to do.' Three years later, Bolton has travelled through three continents, 53 countries and more than 42,000 miles in an adapted four-wheeler MAN truck. Along the way he has amassed more than 380,000 followers on his Instagram account – and fallen in love again. He and his fiancee, Marie Deleval, are now back in Wigan to plan their wedding and next adventure: a journey through Mongolia and Siberia in a converted eight-wheel-drive military truck. 'I ended up answering all those questions: I want to live in the truck, I want to live with Marie and I want to be an overlander, exploring the world,' Bolton says. 'Throughout this journey I came up with a kind of mantra that sums it all up: 'Don't let who you are today stop you from being who you could be tomorrow.'' That platitude, crafted to be overlaid on a dramatic Instagram image of a sunset, is typical of Bolton's attitude to life: no matter how tough things might be, you can always change. It was an impulse that set him on his journey and it is seat-of-the-pants impulsiveness that has seen him through to the other side. 'We approach everything with a big smile and plucky British attitude,' he says. 'Whether it's policemen, border guards or even terrorists stopping you on the road, you give a big thumbs-up and that's how you talk your way out.' Speaking from his mum's front room, Bolton has lost the layer of dirt that he often sports on Instagram. He has a dark tan, a trimmed beard and eyes that look more tired than full of adventure. Next to him on the sofa is Deleval, the 30-year-old French woman he met in the second week of his travels and who agreed to travel the world with him on their third date. Her bleached blond hair is tied into a messy bun and she sports the same tan and somewhat glazed look. The couple have been off the road for all of 72 hours and even over video call you can sense their eagerness to get moving again. 'It's amazing to be able to do laundry and have home-cooked food – we both smell good and look cleaner,' Bolton laughs. 'But we will get itchy feet. We have a taste for it now and we're looking forward to the next trip.' Bolton describes himself as an 'overlander' rather than 'traveller' or 'backpacker' – the distinction being the independent, uncurated nature of the experience. 'Rather than a backpacker who is constrained by a hostel or a traveller who might be going to tourist spots, we go on dirt tracks and back roads, travelling through society,' he says. 'We get an insight into people's lives and might reach places where they've never seen a foreigner before. You have interactions.' Those 'interactions' form the basis of Bolton's new book, Truck It! In a fast-paced conversational style, full of that 'plucky British attitude', Bolton recounts his journey from relationship and business breakdowns to selling all his possessions to buy his truck, meeting Deleval in France, then driving together with their dogs through eastern Europe, central Asia, Russia and south Asia to end up in Thailand. Along the way, the couple encounter regular setbacks, from being shaken down by Russian police, to fighting with an Azerbaijani man at a border crossing and being held at gunpoint by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Each time, Bolton faces his problems with relentless optimism and a naivety that will be read as either charming or irritating. He has to research the history of Russian-occupied territories in Georgia on his phone while wondering why the locals seem suspicious at the sight of trucking tourists, for instance; in Afghanistan he fires off a pistol round with a group of young men who turn out to be Islamists, before being questioned by the Taliban. 'People had repeatedly told us that we were taking unnecessary risk by going through Afghanistan. Our conversations had always concluded with 'We'll be all right,'' he writes. And miraculously they are. At times Truck It! reads like Top Gear without the introspection. Was the reality more messy? 'Nothing will top those lads coming up to us with a pistol when we were parked in Afghanistan, firing off a round into the distance and then adding me on Facebook, which made me realise they're part of a terrorist group,' he says, shaking his head. 'Then, when the Taliban arrived, we thought we might get our heads chopped off.' Deleval adds that Afghanistan did have other challenges. 'I couldn't do anything; you don't talk to people if you're a woman there,' she says. 'I was completely ignored. We had two separate experiences.' Money is another issue that is more complex than it might seem on the surface of Bolton's travelogue. He left the UK with 'just £600', he writes, and it was an impromptu decision to start filming his travels on Instagram that financed the rest of the trip. Once his first two videos explaining his plans to truck the world went viral, sponsors offered to pay for his Eurotunnel trip or provide him with free gear and cash to produce branded content. 'I never really had any social media before and it's actually been one of the hardest bits of the trip because it can invade our privacy,' Bolton says. 'Me and Marie met as an organic couple but then it was a shock to realise that she had to be on camera and be part of capturing this journey. I never plan the content, so it's on from the first thing in the morning to the last thing at night, and it can be hard to keep things just for us. Still, without it we wouldn't be able to keep going. It's a necessary evil.' Bolton's romance with Deleval is one of the more miraculous and charming episodes of the journey. While sitting with his dog, Red, on a hill just outside Saint-Tropez only weeks into his travels, Bolton saw Deleval running with her dog, Rubia, and was captivated. He plucked up the courage to say hello, and later Deleval found his Instagram and messaged asking to meet up. After two more dates, during which she revealed she had a boyfriend who needed dumping, she agreed to join him on his odyssey. 'Often you hear about couples going travelling and it breaks down because it's so intense – but it just worked,' Bolton says. 'Our 4 metre by 4 metre cab was our home and it really felt easy because we like the same adventures. It supercharged the relationship and the hardest thing is actually being back staying with the in-laws because home is in the truck.' Aside from the couple he saw outside the pub, Bolton describes his parents as his biggest inspirations for the nomadic lifestyle he has now built. His dad was a truck driver and taught him from an early age how to tinker with engines and make repairs, while his maternal grandfather was in the merchant navy and used to regale the grandkids with his travels. 'Both my parents are baby boomers and all they did was work,' he says. 'They just want us to enjoy our lives and see the world. The hardest part was saying goodbye to them at the beginning but they're really proud of what we've done.' Deleval, meanwhile, says that it was her mother who convinced her to go off with Bolton despite barely knowing him. 'I had backpacked in South America for a year and a half and my parents knew that I loved travelling,' she says. 'I told my mum and she said: 'You have to go.' That was that.' While Bolton's parents have visited the couple on their journey, his dad even driving the truck for a while, there have been downsides to being away for so long. 'The last time I went to see my nan, dementia had fully taken hold and she didn't recognise me, which was tough,' he says. 'But my grandparents on the other side of the family have gotten an iPad to follow us on Instagram and it's given them a new lease of life. I think it's brought a lot of the family together.' That iPad will be in frequent use as Bolton and Deleval are planning another trip, this time to the US via Saudi Arabia and Siberia – with a stop in October to tie the knot on the Saint-Tropez hill where they first met. 'I began thinking I would drive to Australia and that's still the finish line, but we have a longer-term plan to reach there now,' Bolton says, smiling. 'We've even talked about starting a family on the road. I just want to inspire people to go after life like we have, whether that means travelling or something else. You don't have to go from stacking shelves to climbing Everest, but you can reinvent yourself.' Truck It!: The Drive Around the World That Saved My Life, by Bobby Bolton, is published by Macmillan (£20). To support the Guardian, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Traton SE (TRATF) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market Challenges with Strategic ...
Deliveries: Increased by 9% over Q1, but only 1% year-over-year. Sales Revenue: Declined by 2% year-over-year. Adjusted Return on Sales: Declined to 6.4% in Q2. Net Cash Flow: Positive development in Q2, slightly better than 2024. Incoming Orders: Up 11% overall, with a 27% increase in Europe year-over-year. Unit Sales in Europe: Up by 3% to 36,600 units in Q2. Order Intake in Europe: Increased by 27% to 31,400 units. Unit Sales in North America: Up by 5% to 18,200 vehicles in Q2. Order Intake in North America: Down by 15% to 9,300 units. Unit Sales in South America: Down 8% to 16,600 vehicles. Order Intake in South America: Down 7% to 16,300 units. Total Group Revenue: EUR11.3 billion, a 2% decline year-over-year. TRATON Financial Services Revenue: Increased by 14%. Scania Margin: 9%, impacted by negative volume and currency effects. MAN Adjusted Return on Sales: 7.9%, 3.3 percentage points higher over Q1. International Margin: 3.3% in Q2. Volkswagen Truck & Bus Adjusted Return on Sales: 12.9% in Q2. TRATON Financial Services Return on Equity: 8.4%. Gross Cash Flow: EUR2.0 billion in the first half of 2025. Net Debt: Increased by EUR1.2 billion. Adjusted Outlook for 2025: Lowered unit sales and revenue outlook, with a decline expected between -10% and 0%. Adjusted Return on Sales Outlook: 6% to 7% for TRATON Group, 7% to 8% for TRATON Operations. Net Cash Flow Guidance: Expected between EUR1 billion and EUR1.5 billion. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with TRATF. Release Date: July 25, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Traton SE (TRATF) saw a 9% increase in deliveries over Q1, indicating some recovery from a slow start to the year. The company reported a strong order intake in Europe, with a 27% year-over-year increase, despite a slowdown in momentum. Traton SE (TRATF) is advancing its electrification strategy, with Scania launching a high-capacity charging solution and MAN starting production of heavy-duty electric trucks. The company completed the rollout of its integrated financial services backbone in 14 strategic markets, enhancing support for commercial operations. Traton SE (TRATF) is making significant strides in its transformation efforts, including the operational start of a unified group research and development organization. Negative Points Traton SE (TRATF) faced a 2% drop in sales revenues year-over-year, reflecting ongoing market challenges and unfavorable mix effects. The company lowered its full-year outlook due to tough market conditions in North America and economic challenges in Brazil. Scania's adjusted return on sales declined to 6.4% in Q2, primarily due to volume effects and currency headwinds. The book-to-bill ratio dropped below 1, indicating a decline in order intake relative to sales. Traton SE (TRATF) is experiencing high dealer stocks and economic challenges in South America, particularly in Brazil, affecting sales performance. Q & A Highlights Q: Could you help us understand the assumptions behind the guidance on sales and revenue, specifically regarding volume and pricing? A: Michael Jackstein, CFO, explained that the volume decrease played a significant role in the first half, along with unfavorable mix effects. He noted that challenging market conditions often come with pricing pressure, but Traton believes in maintaining a solid pricing level due to their strong product offerings. He highlighted regional differences, with Europe seeing a slowdown in order momentum and North America experiencing significant lower intakes due to uncertainties. Q: Could you quantify the headwinds impacting Scania's margins this quarter, and do you expect a similar run rate for the remainder of the year? A: Christian Levin, CEO, stated that the main issues were declining volumes and currency effects, particularly in Latin America. Scania is facing a competitive environment in Brazil and Mexico, with high interest rates affecting customer financing. He noted that while pricing is maintained, mix effects and lower sales in profitable markets are impacting margins. He does not foresee significant changes within the year. Q: What is your outlook for North America, considering some peers are optimistic about a recovery? A: Christian Levin expressed a more cautious outlook, citing high inventory levels and customer hesitancy due to uncertainties like tariffs and EPA regulations. He mentioned that while pro-business policies could help, the expected EPA prebuy will not happen this year, and the tariff discussions are creating further uncertainty. Q: Can you discuss the differences in demand and production between Scania and MAN in Europe? A: Christian Levin explained that MAN is increasing production from a lower base, benefiting from stronger demand in Germany, while Scania is slightly reducing production due to a leveling out of order intake. He noted regional variations, with Central Europe showing some improvement, while the Nordics and Eastern markets are more hesitant. Q: Regarding the Section 232 tariffs, what would be the implications for Traton, and how might you mitigate the impact? A: Michael Jackstein stated that while they are considering various outcomes, they do not want to speculate on potential impacts. He emphasized that Traton is prepared to adjust to different scenarios but did not provide specific mitigation strategies. Q: How is the modular system development progressing, and what should we look for next? A: Christian Levin highlighted the integration of common components like the CD1 engine and the electric drivetrain between Scania and MAN. He mentioned future developments in electrical architecture and software, as well as plans to standardize interfaces for chassis and cabs, which will enhance product differentiation and efficiency. Q: Can you provide insights into the inventory levels in the US and how long the destocking process might last? A: Christian Levin noted that while Traton's industrial inventory is at reasonable levels, dealer inventories across the industry are high. He speculated that the destocking process could last until the end of the year, depending on demand changes. Q: What are your thoughts on the potential for improving demand in North America, given the current challenges? A: Christian Levin suggested that resolving tariff discussions could significantly boost demand, as the underlying US economy is strong, and there is a need for fleet renewal. He also mentioned that a decrease in interest rates could further stimulate investment. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Hi Dubai
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hi Dubai
RTA Completes Major Upgrade of 22 Bus Stations and Depots Across Dubai
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the upgrade of 22 public bus facilities, including 16 passenger stations and 6 bus depots, as part of a comprehensive plan to elevate the quality, safety, and integration of Dubai's public transport system. The initiative aligns with RTA's broader vision of encouraging mass transit usage and promoting sustainable mobility by ensuring that bus stations go beyond basic waiting areas to become fully integrated transit hubs. These improvements enhance commuter comfort, accessibility for People of Determination, and first/last-mile connectivity through pedestrian access, cycling support, and integration with the Dubai Metro and taxis. Passenger Stations Upgrade: The upgrade covered nine stations in Deira and seven in Bur Dubai, serving 110 routes with a combined peak capacity of 710 buses per hour. Enhancements included: Renovated waiting areas and station façades Upgraded infrastructure systems and pavements Prayer rooms at select stations Safer, more user-friendly environments for diverse commuters Bus Depots Upgrade: Six key depots—Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Al Ruwayah, Al Awir, Jebel Ali, and Al Quoz—underwent upgrades that included: Improved inspection and maintenance lanes Engine washing systems Renovated driver accommodations Enhanced lighting, security, drainage, and bus parking layout Integration & Connectivity: The project supports RTA's strategy of multi-modal integration, encouraging public transport use through easier access and better last-mile solutions. It complements previous upgrades at major hubs like Al Ghubaiba, Union, Al Jafiliya, and Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. Modern Bus Fleet Expansion: To further support the enhanced stations, RTA signed a contract to procure 637 new buses, including: 40 fully electric zero-emission Zhongtong buses (first of their kind in the UAE) (first of their kind in the UAE) 451 city buses (400 MAN and 51 Zhongtong) (400 MAN and 51 Zhongtong) 76 double-decker VOLVO buses 70 articulated Isuzu Anadolu buses All buses comply with Euro 6 low-emission standards, featuring advanced safety systems, high passenger capacity, and comfortable interiors designed for Dubai's urban needs. With this upgrade, RTA aims to boost public transport adoption, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure seamless mobility experiences across the city. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why ManpowerGroup (MAN) Stock Is Trading Up Today
What Happened? Shares of workforce solutions provider ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN) jumped 3.2% in the morning session after the company reported second-quarter adjusted earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, overshadowing a reported net loss caused by one-time charges. While the company posted a net loss of $67.1 million, or $1.44 per share, this was primarily due to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $89 million and other restructuring costs. When excluding these items, ManpowerGroup's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.78. This figure comfortably beat the consensus analyst forecast of $0.69 per share, signaling to investors that the company's core operations are performing better than anticipated. Looking ahead, the company provided guidance for the third quarter, expecting diluted earnings per share to be between $0.77 and $0.87. The positive market reaction suggests investors are focusing on the underlying operational strength and the forward-looking guidance rather than the headline loss. After the initial pop the shares cooled down to $43.56, up 1% from previous close. Is now the time to buy ManpowerGroup? Access our full analysis report here, it's free. What Is The Market Telling Us ManpowerGroup's shares are somewhat volatile and have had 11 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today's move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business. The biggest move we wrote about over the last year was 3 months ago when the stock dropped 15.9% on the news that the company reported underwhelming first quarter 2025 results: Its EBITDA and EPS missed Wall Street's expectations. On a brighter note, revenue came in ahead of expectations. However, this modest beat was not enough to offset the significant drop in earnings, as profits were pulled down by higher restructuring costs and tax charges. Looking ahead, EPS guidance for next quarter missed significantly, indicating continued margin pressure and limited visibility on near-term recovery, particularly in Europe. Overall, this was a weaker quarter. ManpowerGroup is down 23.6% since the beginning of the year, and at $43.56 per share, it is trading 43.5% below its 52-week high of $77.13 from July 2024. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of ManpowerGroup's shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $597.45. Unless you've been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) semiconductor stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report on our favorite semiconductor growth story. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Inside F1 star George Russell's new £2.2m luxury yacht with four bedrooms and garage
George Russell has purchased a stunning Pershing 6X yacht, which contains four bedrooms, a private garage for a jet ski, and plenty of room to host friends and family George Russell has splashed out on a luxurious new toy, a £2.2million Pershing 6X yacht. The 62-foot vessel can host up to 14 guests and is kitted out with all the mod cons, providing the Mercedes driver with the perfect spot for some stylish relaxation. Russell's new pride and joy, powered by twin MAN V12 1550mhp engines and capable of reaching speeds of up to 48 knots, boasts ample space to unwind on the upper deck with a massive lounger and spacious decking. Below deck, there are even more treats in store. The plush master bedroom features an en-suite bathroom, and there's also a guest bedroom, complete with a double bed and a large mirror. A third room houses two single beds, allowing Russell to invite friends and family on board for extended stays. The boat also comes equipped with a compact kitchen to cater for guests, and there's an on-board garage that can house a jet ski, should the Silver Arrows racer fancy a bit of high-octane fun on the waves. The 27-year-old now joins an elite group of Formula 1 drivers who boast million-pound yachts in their collections. Max Verstappen recently snapped up a Mangusta Gransport 33, while Lewis Hamilton's Sunseeker 90 is typically moored in Monaco, reports the Express. Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc are also proud owners of their own nautical toys. It has often been a popular purchase for highly-paid F1 drivers over the years, given many of them live in Monaco and so already have the perfect place to keep a yacht. Meanwhile, Russell has hinted that his future with Mercedes hinges on a contract extension, especially with the upcoming technical changes in F1. Despite a standout 2025 season so far, the King's Lynn-born driver is yet to secure new terms. The situation seems entangled with Verstappen's plans, who, despite a contract with Red Bull until 2028, faces uncertainty following boss Christian Horner's exit after the British Grand Prix. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, having eyed Verstappen in 2024, continues to show interest. Russell, speaking in Austria last month, said of the situation: "As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on top, you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing. So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing." Should Wolff successfully court Verstappen, Russell may be left without a seat at Brackley, potentially leading to a swap with the Dutchman to maintain his position in a leading F1 team.
