Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[Peter Sarf]

Atlas leisure Homes Ltd, a caravan maker in East Yorkshire has entered administration, with about 180 staff made redundant

I am a bit surprised as I thought everyone was taking domestic holidays or even working from "home" from a campervan or caravan.

I think it's different now. Elon has revealed himself to the whole world who he is (before that, it was almost seem as a selection of people just having a beef with him out of jealousy) and his usual way to pump the stock would be to show photos of a new car and say it's coming in a fortnight for $15,000, or that we'll all be living on Mars by May. Take millions in deposits and then forget about it all for a while.

I can't see him being able to do that now. Even if he does do another event like the incredibly staged Robotaxi event, I think people will more likely boo him or simply not show up. His hardcore fans can love him all they want, but if they bought in on the dip this time I think they're going to find themselves worse off.

Now if Elon was to be ousted somehow, Tesla as a brand could be almost instantly restored under competent leadership. They have the manufacturing and distribution network set up perfectly, so with a few new cars actually made that are good and appealing to the mainstream, and Tesla is a company that we wouldn't expect to disappear.

Right now, it is all in on AI nonsense, FSD that can't work with current hardware, robots that can't do anything and appealing to people who don't even want electric vehicles to exist, let alone have one on their driveway.

You are right though, people ARE making money from the volatility but I am not so sure they will as much in the future. The trend seems to be continuing downwards and with all the protests I can't imagine what Elon can do to reverse this - especially after talking about slashing social security and healthcare.



Even though Elon has managed to dodge investigations, or at least any serious punishment, I think his current reputation means he's unlikely to be able to stage an event to promise the world next week (or the week after at the latest..) to bump the stock up as he's done many times before.

He needs to go to save Tesla.

Now that makes me think. Does Tesla rely on parts wandering in and out of America to/from Canada and Mexico like other parts of the US car manufacturing industry do ?. OR is this an advantage Elon Musk wants to exploit over his ICE rivals by supporting Trumps Tariff wars. Certainly weakens the non-US EV competition as well.

The above is a bit off topic maybe until you consider the effects on all sorts of businesses now that America is becoming more isolationist.

There will be winners and there will be losers. BUT which will be which ?.

 

[Dai Corner]

You are right though, people ARE making money from the volatility but I am not so sure they will as much in the future. The trend seems to be continuing downwards and with all the protests I can't imagine what Elon can do to reverse this - especially after talking about slashing social security and healthcare.

Every $ made by somebody is a $ lost by somebody else.

I doubt if those relying on social security or state healthcare but Tesla's.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Every $ made by somebody is a $ lost by somebody else.

I doubt if those relying on social security or state healthcare but Tesla's.

Indeed. For Tesla it depends on how principled their, better off, customers are as to whether Tesla is going to be in trouble or not.
That will be particularly a risk outside the large island (mentality) of the US.

I might be tempted to avoid American products or American owned businesses. I expect that will affect some businesses in the UK.

 

[jon0844]

I doubt if those relying on social security or state healthcare but Tesla's.

That is true, but while Tesla was always pretty premium (and still is), more 'normal' people are now buying EVs and the second hand market means older Teslas (which are holding up well in terms of battery range) are on the market - and should be snapped up by those on lower incomes.

I don't know how the welfare system works there, or things like state pensions and healthcare but I assume that this covers a large spectrum of people who aren't all unemployed. There will be people with disabilities, pensioners, veterans and so on.

It's fair to say that a lot of Republicans aren't going to buy EVs full stop. They will insist on their V8 engined pick-ups and oversized SUVs until the end of time. Maybe that's a bit of a stereotype, but every time I go to the USA I am reminded that there are a lot of people who aren't bothered about gas prices and they have the roads to allow you to drive these beasts.

Of course you also have the ultra-rich, who will vote for Trump too, and can afford a Tesla - but how big is that market in comparison to the mass market? Now it's for GM, Ford or Stellantis to step up and take Tesla's market.

 

[dgl]

Atlas leisure Homes Ltd, a caravan maker in East Yorkshire has entered administration, with about 180 staff made redundant

They've gone bust before if I remember correctly and this was a new company set up from the ashes of the old one, this current one seemingly being started in 2009.
At the end of the day there are plenty of competitors, Carnaby, Swift, Willerby, Pemberton, Regal, Victory and ABI, to name a few, and there used to be a few others that I haven't heard about for a while like Cosalt, so it's not like there is no competition. Might make parts availability for some caravans a bit tricky though.

 

[jon0844]

With regards to Tesla's tanking stock price, I'll admit I didn't expect Trump to do an advert which was quite incredible in demonstrating how dumb he is, and despite knowing everything about 'cyber' managing to be shocked about new cars 'all being computer'.

Poor Elon doing so much as a patriot - please buy his cars.

The stock did rise a bit but I doubt this is going to have any long term benefit and might make the protests and boycotting worse.

 

[Broucek]

The increasingly bonkers Torygraph is definitely a sheet.

I've always been a Telegraph reader but it's become unreadable since the election. I'm not a huge fan of the current gov't but the Telegraph coverage has been deranged

Still buying it digitally because my wife likes the puzzles!

FT is currently the least bad paper and I get a free digital subscription via work

 

[Dai Corner]

I've always been a Telegraph reader but it's become unreadable since the election. I'm not a huge fan of the current gov't but the Telegraph coverage has been deranged

Still buying it digitally because my wife likes the puzzles!

FT is currently the least bad paper and I get a free digital subscription via work

You can subscribe to the puzzles separately for about £1 a week and read most newspapers digitally for free via many public libraries. Reading the same story in the Guardian and the Mail can be quite amusing/illuminating.

 

[Welly]

I've always been a Telegraph reader but it's become unreadable since the election. I'm not a huge fan of the current gov't but the Telegraph coverage has been deranged

Still buying it digitally because my wife likes the puzzles!

FT is currently the least bad paper and I get a free digital subscription via work

I have also stopped reading the Daily Toerag since last year.

 

[Broucek]

You can subscribe to the puzzles separately for about £1 a week and read most newspapers digitally for free via many public libraries. Reading the same story in the Guardian and the Mail can be quite amusing/illuminating.

Ooooh! Good tip... Will investigate

Guardian vs. Mail! Yes, it's both amusing and illuminating (and potentially rather sad). I'd actually argue it's necessary in a polarised and tribal media world to get both perspectives. I know people who only read one or the other and they completely miss significant stories...

 

[Bald Rick]

With regards to Tesla's tanking stock price, I'll admit I didn't expect Trump to do an advert which was quite incredible in demonstrating how dumb he is, and despite knowing everything about 'cyber' managing to be shocked about new cars 'all being computer'.

Poor Elon doing so much as a patriot - please buy his cars.

The stock did rise a bit but I doubt this is going to have any long term benefit and might make the protests and boycotting worse.

Share price up 8% today.

 

[brad465]

Share price up 8% today.

Probably helped by the US President moonlighting as a Tesla car salesman yesterday.

 

[jon0844]

Probably helped by the US President moonlighting as a Tesla car salesman yesterday.

If you're boycotting Tesla because of Elon, I can't see Trump buying one changing your mind.

We shall see but I think Elon has to give up Tesla and in an interview I saw, but can't link to, he appeared worn out and not looking well.

 

[Noddy]

If you're boycotting Tesla because of Elon, I can't see Trump buying one changing your mind.

We shall see but I think Elon has to give up Tesla and in an interview I saw, but can't link to, he appeared worn out and not looking well.

That’s what ketamine does to you.

 

[PG]

If you're boycotting Tesla because of Elon, I can't see Trump buying one changing your mind.

He might have bought one but will he use it?!!

 

[jon0844]

He might have bought one but will he use it?!!

No of course not. He wouldn't be allowed to drive it now for one (does he even drive?) and secondly it's obviously a stunt and Trump is buying nothing.

Elon either gave it for free or he'll discover that Trump never pays his bills and stiffs him!

 

[DM352]

I could see Tesla if not disappearing maybe in less countries if tariffs for alternatives like the chinese BYD company which are 100% here significantly reduced. I would consider a BYD car as the sedan look similar to the popular Toyota camry.

Sure I saw a youtube on Byd doing London buses recently so they know their stuff.

 

[Broucek]

I get why people want to boycot Musk, but I'm not sure a CCP-backed entity is the best alternative.....

 

[dgl]

Just go fir a Hyundai or KIA then, they make some if the best EV's on the market.

 

[Egg Centric]

I get why people want to boycot Musk, but I'm not sure a CCP-backed entity is the best alternative.....

It is my observation that generally the closer someone/something is to "us" that the higher a standard we hold them to. So Musk is held to a higher standard than some Chinese entity even if the latter is objectively worse.

Probably not a bad thing as it stops "our" standards from slipping, but it does lead to this sort of absurdity.

 

[DelW]

It is my observation that generally the closer someone/something is to "us" that the higher a standard we hold them to. So Musk is held to a higher standard than some Chinese entity even if the latter is objectively worse.

Probably not a bad thing as it stops "our" standards from slipping, but it does lead to this sort of absurdity.

Musk has posted via his own website that the last British General Election result should be overturned, that Kier Starmer and Jess Phillips should be imprisoned for promoting rape, that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is a political prisoner and should be released, that Britain is an authoritarian police state, and that civil war in Britain is "inevitable".

The Chinese state and party are probably doing some unwanted actions under cover, but nothing as overtly hostile and socially divisive and unpleasant as those actions by Musk.

I would love to see owning or driving a Tesla become completely socially unacceptable across the civilised world (which seems no longer to include the USA). The cybertruck in particular is one of the stupidest and most lethal vehicle designs for many years, and I'm relieved that it's being made as difficult as possible to use one in this country.

 

[Dai Corner]

Staying on the subject of rechargeable cars, but getting back to the thread topic of companies in trouble, battery maker Northvolt has issued this statement

Northvolt files for bankruptcy in Sweden

Northvolt – Enabling the Future of Energy

northvolt.com

Stockholm, Sweden, 12 March 2025 – Following an exhaustive effort to explore all available means to secure a viable financial and operational future for the company, the Board of Directors of Northvolt AB today announced that it has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden.

Like many companies in the battery sector, Northvolt has experienced a series of compounding challenges in recent months that eroded its financial position, including rising capital costs, geopolitical instability, subsequent supply chain disruptions, and shifts in market demand. Further to this backdrop, the company has faced significant internal challenges in its ramp-up of production, both in ways that were expected by engagement in what is a highly complex industry, and others which were unforeseen.

Despite pursuing all available options to negotiate and implement a financial restructuring, including a Chapter 11 restructuring process in the United States, and despite liquidity support from our lenders and key counterparties, the company was unable to secure the necessary financial conditions to continue in its current form. The Board therefore determined that this is the only available solution while the company pursues all realistic options to obtain financing to continue operating during the Swedish bankruptcy process.

It should be underscored that in engaging in this process, the company found significant traction with potential partners and interest from investors — something which illustrates the strong underlying value and future potential of Northvolt and is testament to its accomplishments. Ultimately, however, with limited time and financial resources available, the company was unable to conclude the necessary agreements to secure its future.

I wonder if this has any implications for the future battery factory in Somerset and the European motor and electricity industries in general?

 

[Egg Centric]

Musk has posted via his own website that the last British General Election result should be overturned, that Kier Starmer and Jess Phillips should be imprisoned for promoting rape, that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is a political prisoner and should be released, that Britain is an authoritarian police state, and that civil war in Britain is "inevitable".

The Chinese state and party are probably doing some unwanted actions under cover, but nothing as overtly hostile and socially divisive and unpleasant as those actions by Musk.

I would love to see owning or driving a Tesla become completely socially unacceptable across the civilised world (which seems no longer to include the USA). The cybertruck in particular is one of the stupidest and most lethal vehicle designs for many years, and I'm relieved that it's being made as difficult as possible to use one in this country.

Musk has done all those things.

Meanwhile, the Chinese are committing a genocide in Uyghur and aggressively trying to takeover various silly islands all over the Pacific (ofc Trump is doing something rather similar in Greenland but it's farcical and he's not Musk, indeed I'm looking forward to the almost inevitable fallout).

Speaking of genocidal behaviour, there's a certain genocidal state (at this point after their behaviour in the last couple of years I think it's reasonable to call them that) in the middle east who "we" also tend to hold to a higher standard to and give more attention to than other genocidal states doing even more awful things.

I'm convinced it's because we expect a higher standard of behaviour from those who claim to support similar values to us. And whatever the solution is to this sort of thing it can never be to switch to someone worse. So I have no problem with a Tesla boycott but it shouldn't mean switching to e.g. Polestar.

 

[Noddy]

It is my observation that generally the closer someone/something is to "us" that the higher a standard we hold them to. So Musk is held to a higher standard than some Chinese entity even if the latter is objectively worse.

Probably not a bad thing as it stops "our" standards from slipping, but it does lead to this sort of absurdity.

Of course in the UK (and all RHD territories) Tesla does have the double level absurdity of being owned by Musk and built in China.

So not only is he to quote @DelW saying that ‘the last British General Election result should be overturned, that Kier Starmer and Jess Phillips should be imprisoned for promoting rape, that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is a political prisoner and should be released, that Britain is an authoritarian police state, and that civil war in Britain is "inevitable"’ he is to quote you supporting (by not criticising the following) ‘a genocide in Uyghur and aggressively trying to takeover various silly islands all over the Pacific’ like other car companies in China.

 

[jon81uk]

Of course in the UK (and all RHD territories) Tesla does have the double level absurdity of being owned by Musk and built in China.

They are making the Model Y in Germany for RHD and LHD.

 

[Noddy]

They are making the Model Y in Germany for RHD and LHD.

Thanks I’d missed this. Although by the looks of things the RHD MYs built in Berlin are all going to India while all the UK ones are still all built by some Chinese entity.

 

[cactustwirly]

Thanks I’d missed this. Although by the looks of things the RHD MYs built in Berlin are all going to India while all the UK ones are still all built by some Chinese entity.

Makes sense, I doubt importing cars from China to India is straightforward

 

[michaelh]

Yes, that's the arrangement in the two-floor Boots at Nottingham - optician upstairs. But maybe they think having it visible as a separate store front helps it compete better with dedicated opticians like Specsavers?

Boots Chemists and Boots Opticians occupy separate premises in Droitwich. Next door to each other.

 

[Dai Corner]

WH Smith is selling it's high street business and the shops will be rebranded as 'TG Jones' .The buyer is Mondella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft.

Sale of UK High Street business

otp.tools.investis.com

WH Smith PLC ("WHSmith" or "the Group") has agreed the sale of its UK High Street1 business to Modella Capital (the "Transaction"), creating a pure play global travel retailer

· Consideration represents an enterprise value of £76m on a cash and debt-free basis

· Gross cash proceeds of £52m, with anticipated net cash proceeds of c.£25m when adjusted for transaction and separation costs, to be deployed in-line with the Group's capital allocation policy

· WHSmith brand is not included in the sale. The Group's Travel divisions will continue to trade under the WHSmith brand across 32 countries and including at major airport locations, hospitals and rail stations in the UK

The High Street business will operate for a short transitional period under the WHSmith brand whilst the business rebrands as TGJones. The Group's Travel divisions will continue to trade under the WHSmith brand.

I think the new brand is made up and not in memory of the footballer who played for Everton in the 1940s and 50s!

 

[sor]

I suppose they couldn't use John Menzies because that company still exists.

My initial thought is that it's a low effort "keep the two initials plus random British surname" rebrand, though I'm not exactly up to date with WHS history and there could well be a reason behind it...