The market downturn in Europe was caused by customers’ weaker purchasing power due to high interest rates and uncertainties over the pace of the transition to electric vehicles, Michelin said.
The toy company’s profit, however, is holding up due to stronger margins, helped by factors such as cost cuts, supply-chain improvements and lower input costs.
The surprise increase was the first since the electric-car maker’s earnings began to slide earlier this year as it turned to deep price cuts and other sales promotions to stimulate sales.