Akwel faces further sales pressure in 2026 amid automotive headwinds

Champfromier, France – French automotive and heavy vehicle parts maker Akwel has reported a 5% year-on-year decline in sales to €938 million, due mainly to a slowdown in automotive industry and currency effects.

Sales for the final quarter of 2025 fell 10.2% year-on-year to €207.7 million as exchange rate impact, almost exclusively linked to the US dollar, was “more pronounced than in the previous three quarters.”

Geographically, revenue declined across every region: in EMEA by 5.4% year-on-year to €626 million, in the Americas by 4.1% to €278.4 million, and in Asia by 7.3% to €33.5 million, Akwel reported 5 Feb.

In terms of segments, revenue for the ‘Products and Functions’ division declined by 3.4% to €913.2 million over the financial year.

Within the division, the cooling, fuel and oil product lines grew by 2.3%, 2.2% and 3.8% respectively.

Other activities, meanwhile, declined over the year, notably air (16.2%), mechanisms (4.3%) and regulation (5.7%).

The pollution control product line also reported an 8.2% year-on-year decrease, reflecting the gradual phase-out of series production of SCR tanks. (ERJ report)

The group’s “Tools" division generated annual revenue of €16.4 million.

As indicated in its last quarterly report, Akwel said business outlook for 2026 points to “a more significant decline” in revenue compared to 2025, with a double-digit fall currently anticipated.

Among other factors, the French group said a planned decline in volumes for SCR series tanks, market inertia, slower development of EVs and “increased pressure from Chinese vehicle competitors” will weigh on sales.

These factors, it said, are leading to “postponements or cancellations of electric and hydrogen vehicle programmes in America, China, and Europe, as well as non-renewals or drastic reductions in volumes for ongoing projects.”

Akwel said it will continue its efforts to control all costs in 2026 in order to adapt its operations to the downward trend in activity.

Greater attention, it said, will be paid to managing projects and investments.