Liverpool city region Mercedes-Benz truck and van supplier eStar slips into a loss despite revenues rising 9% to £138m as a ‘very challenging trading period’ hits margins. Tony McDonough reports

Mercedes-Benz truck and van supplier eStar says it remains “positive for the future” despite seeing reporting pre-tax annual losses of £719,649.

Operating franchise locations in Knowsley, Trafford Park, Stoke and Deeside, Liverpool city region-based eStar supplies new and used trucks and vans, together with parts and servicing of Daimler, Mercedes-Benz and Fuso commercial vehicles.

Its annual accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2025, posted on Companies House, reveal a 9% rise in revenues to £138m. The pre-tax losses compare to pre-tax profits of £1.5m in the previous year. The company employs more than 300 people.

Writing in the annual report, eStar finance director Chris Bevan said: “While disappointed with the result for the year, and against the backdrop of continued economic sluggishness, the directors remain positive for the future with strong brand relationships and shared ambition to grow market share.”

Addressing the losses, he explained: “2025 was a very challenging trading period across the business. Excess stocks in the new van sales network impacted gross profit margins and stocking charges, although registrations were 10% ahead of the prior year as we put more focus into fleet, in addition to retail.

“The new truck sales business also started to see the benefit from our increasing focus on fleet rather than purely retail and registrations were 49% ahead of the prior year.

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“Management has been focused on reducing aged vehicle stock levels and we have made strong progress in both reducing the stocks on the pipeline of new stocks on certain models.

“Used van sales profitability was also down on the previous year as we continue to see profit margins tightening and an internal push to reduce age stock levels.”