Andrew Jackson Executive Chairman Jetcon Corporation Limited (JETCON) – has released the following Unaudited Financial Statements for First Quarter ended March 31 2024.

Jetcon Corporation ended the first quarter of 2024 cutting net losses almost in half compared to the same period in 2023, at $0.89m compared with $1.76m last year.

Cost of Sales decreased 37 percent, to $112m from $154m last year.

Earnings per share total 0.15 cents, down from 0.30 cents last year.

On the balance sheet Inventories total $400 million, which includes used and new vehicles, and solar products, while receivables total $97 million and includes deposits on purchases of imports.

Banks continue to give more favourable lending rates towards the purchase of new cars than used cars, and this is reflected in the continuing stagnation of used car sales. We are therefore shifting focus towards the sale of new cars with the BAIC brand, and we have received positive feedback thus far with the models. Resources will be increasingly transferred from used sales to new sales as new sales pick up.

Similarly, solar product sales continue to be positive, and combined with new car sales, we expect this will form the bulk of revenue in the next 12 months, with much higher profit margins than that of used car sales.

Our Audited Financials for the year ended 2023 will be posted within the next two weeks, and the Board and management regret their lengthy delay. We would like to thank shareholders, management, staff and customers for their continued support.

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Jamaica stands at a critical juncture in transforming its transportation sector to achieve both economic resilience and sustainable development. Reflecting on the broader goals within the realms of energy efficiency and sustainability, it becomes imperative to examine the factors influencing Jamaica’s transportation efficiency. As an island nation with a high dependency on imported fossil fuels, Jamaica faces unique challenges that directly impact its transportation sector’s efficiency and sustainability.

External Economic Vulnerabilities

Being economically vulnerable to external factors, such as fluctuations in global energy prices, significantly influences Jamaica’s transportation sector. This vulnerability stems from an over-reliance on imported oil, making the cost of transportation susceptible to global oil market dynamics. Such dependencies not only increase the operational costs of transportation but also hinder efforts towards achieving efficiency and sustainability.

The volatility of oil prices directly impacts the operating costs for both public and private transportation modes, translating into higher fares for commuters and increased expenses for goods transportation. This scenario underscores the urgent need for Jamaica to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependency on imported oil.

Integrating renewable energy sources into the transportation sector could serve as a viable mitigative strategy. Utilizing Jamaica’s abundant renewable resources, such as solar and wind, could significantly reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, thereby insulating the transportation sector from external economic shocks and contributing to enhanced efficiency.

However, transitioning to renewable energy-powered transportation systems involves overcoming a range of structural, economic, and technical challenges. Investments in infrastructure, public awareness, and regulatory frameworks are essential to facilitate this transition.

Societal Consumption Patterns

Jamaica’s high consumption society profoundly impacts transportation efficiency. Choices in vehicular purchases, for instance, are seldom made with energy efficiency in mind. This inclination towards high-consumption models contributes to greater fuel use and increased greenhouse gas emissions, further straining the push towards transportation efficiency.

Addressing societal consumption patterns requires a shift in public perception and behavior towards transportation. Encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient vehicles through incentives and awareness campaigns could play a significant role in this regard. Additionally, promoting public transportation and non-motorized transport modes as viable and efficient alternatives could also help reduce the transportation sector’s overall energy footprint.

Furthermore, enhancing public awareness about the interconnectedness of lifestyle choices, energy consumption, and environmental impact is crucial. Education and outreach initiatives that highlight the benefits of energy-efficient transportation choices could foster a societal shift towards sustainability.

The Government of Jamaica’s role in championing energy efficiency via policy interventions, such as the National Energy Policy and the Vision 2030 Jamaica Plan, plays a pivotal role in steering society towards more sustainable consumption patterns. Regulatory instruments, alongside targets and incentives for energy efficiency, can provide a balanced mix of push and pull factors to drive efficiency improvements across the transportation sector.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology advancements are pivotal for enhancing Jamaica’s transportation efficiency. The existing transportation infrastructure often does not support optimal energy use or facilitate the deployment of modern, energy-efficient technologies.

Investing in infrastructure modernization and maintenance can significantly reduce energy consumption in the transportation sector. Improvements in road quality, for example, can decrease fuel consumption by reducing vehicle wear and tear and travel times.

Adopting advanced transportation technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and implementing smart traffic management systems can also contribute to efficiency. However, such technological transitions require supportive infrastructure, including EV charging stations and integrated traffic management systems.

In conclusion, a multi-faceted approach encompassing policy interventions, societal shifts, and infrastructure and technological upgrades is essential for improving transportation efficiency in Jamaica. Addressing these key factors will not only contribute to reducing Jamaica’s carbon footprint but also pave the way towards a more resilient and sustainable transportation sector.

• Economic vulnerabilities due to reliance on imported oil significantly impact transportation costs and efficiency.
• Societal consumption patterns and preferences towards high-consumption vehicles impede efforts towards transportation efficiency.
• Investments in infrastructure and technology are crucial for enabling the adoption of energy-efficient transportation solutions.
• Government policy and regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in driving the transition towards more efficient and sustainable transportation systems.

Jetcon Corporation ended its Third Quarter of 2023 with a loss of JA$7.1million, compared to a JA$$12M profit in the same period last year. This as sales continues its trend downwards to be roughly half those of last year.

Jetcon’ s statement of comprehensive income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 also showed a loss of JA$3.50M. This management said was due to prudent fiscal policy adopted by the company in the month of April 2023. This saw the company disposing of 10 vehicles which it carried on the books that were haemorrhaging in value. If these vehicles were sold at market value the company’s profit would have been $8.99 Million.

Jetcon also ended that second quarter with revenue decreasing 27 percent, to JA$184M, compared with the same period in 2022 and 28 percent for the half year to JA$363M. This according to management was mostly due to increased rates by the Bank of Jamaica which saw lenders preferring to invest available funds with the Bank of Jamaica rather than lending to those wishing to purchase vehicles.

Third Quarter Inventories totaled $419million, while receivables totaled $93million.

The company continues to grow inventory of solar equipment as they push to diversify operations to make it more resilient to economic shocks.

While used vehicle sales continue to stagnate, management is nevertheless beginning the exploration of new vehicle sales, a market which has seen increased sales year-on-year.

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Car dealerships make profits through various revenue streams. Here are the primary ways they make money:

Financing: Dealerships work with third-party lenders and the manufacturer’s lending arm to offer financing options to customers. The dealership earns a commission for every loan they secure, which can add up to thousands of dollars. The commissions often come as marked up interest rates on your loan

Selling add-ons: Dealerships make money by selling add-ons such as extended warranties, tire and wheel protection, and other insurance packages. With each sale of an additional item, the dealer is making some profit

Trade-ins: When a customer trades in their old vehicle as part of a new or used car purchase, the dealership can either resell the trade-in on their used car lot or sell it at an auction. The profit from trade-ins comes from the difference between the trade-in value given to the customer and the resale value of the vehicle

Service and parts departments: Dealerships make money through their service and parts departments. When you bring your car in for maintenance or repairs, the dealership charges you for the labor and parts. They may also try to sell you additional services or upgrades for your car, such as a new air filter or a brake service. Over the life of the vehicle, these additional services can add up to thousands of dollars in profit for the dealership

Markup on new cars: Dealerships make a profit by charging more than their invoice price (i.e., what they paid the automaker) for the new cars they sell. The profit margin varies depending on the brand, model, and market demand for the vehicle

Motor vehicle sales have slipped compared with the first quarter of 2022, and continues into April 2023 as well, however, we have seen positive development with monthly sales increasing month over month for 2023.

Revenues are however, down 29 percent compared to the first quarter in 2022. Gross profits fell by 35 percent, and net profits decreased from $10.2m to a small loss of $1.8m.

While prices of vehicles and shipping have stabilized somewhat, the increase in interest rates have stifled motor vehicle sales, however with the reduction of inflation and a fall in interest rates on Bank of Jamaica CDs and Government of Jamaica Treasury bill rates augur well for interest rates returning to more normal levels soon. We expect sales to recover as the year progresses. We have sold the majority of our stock of electric vehicles (EVs) and expanded our range to include another brand of EV and have more developments in the pipeline which will be disclosed when they become more concrete.

Andrew Jackson Managing Director JETCON Corporation

JETCON CORPORATION LIMITED INTERIM RESULTS First Quarter ended March 2023