British luxury automaker Aston Martin said it will cut up to 20% of its global workforce as it grapples with mounting pressure from supply chain instability and shifting U.S. trade policy under President Donald Trump. The company is attempting to streamline operations and preserve cash as higher costs and weaker demand weigh on the broader automotive sector.
In its latest earnings report released Wednesday, Aston Martin confirmed the restructuring plan, noting that the layoffs are expected to generate approximately £40 million ($54 million) in combined operating expense and capital expenditure savings. Management described the move as part of a wider effort to improve efficiency, stabilize margins, and strengthen the company’s long-term financial position.
The British carmaker, widely recognized for its hand-crafted high-performance vehicles and its long-standing association with the James Bond franchise, has been particularly exposed to trade disruptions.
Trump’s administration imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles last April, significantly increasing export costs for the supercars manufactured at Aston Martin’s UK production facilities. Because many of its vehicles are built by hand and shipped overseas — including to key markets like the United States — the added tariffs have directly impacted profitability.
Beyond tariffs, automakers globally continue to face elevated input costs, logistics challenges, and uneven demand from China, which has slowed compared to previous years. For premium brands like Aston Martin, balancing exclusivity, production scale, and rising operational costs has become increasingly complex in an environment marked by geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.