ECD Automotive Design Showcases the Modern Potential of Classic Series Vehicles with Project Inizio

Rhea-AI Summary

ECD Automotive Design (NASDAQ:ECDA) on December 23, 2025 unveiled Project Inizio, a restored Series III - 88 Soft Top that modernizes classic Land Rover design with contemporary engineering while preserving original character.

Key upgrades include a GM 6.2L LS3 V8, GM Auto Sport 6-speed automatic, EBC FAST brakes, Borla stainless exhaust, upgraded axles, ECD air ride suspension, Dakota Digital gauges, and modern infotainment with backup camera and remote start. Exterior and trim retain Series styling with galvanized bumpers and OEM steel wheels.

Key Figures

Q3 2025 revenue $5.8M Quarter ended September 30, 2025

Q3 2025 gross loss $1.7M Quarter ended September 30, 2025

Q3 2025 net income $2.2M Driven primarily by non-cash fair value gain from debt conversion

Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA -$4.7M Quarter ended September 30, 2025

Cost-savings plan More than $1M Expected annualized savings from cost-containment plan

Cash and cash equivalents $157,682 As of September 30, 2025 per 10-Q

Working capital deficit $6,006,891 As of September 30, 2025 per 10-Q

Engine size 6.2L V8 GM LS3 engine used in Project Inizio

Market Reality Check

$0.1950 Last Close

Volume Volume 373,873 is 0.18x the 20-day average of 2,124,950, indicating muted trading ahead of this announcement. low

Technical Shares at $0.195 are trading below the 200-day MA of $9.45 and sit close to the 52-week low of $0.1903, far from the $42.00 high.

Peers on Argus 1 Down

ECDA was down 2.06% pre-release while peers showed mixed moves: AYRO up 7.35%, EVTV up 25.55%, and CJET down 3.58%, pointing to stock-specific pressure rather than a broad sector trend.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 22	Reverse stock split	Negative	-2.1%	Announced <b>1-for-5</b> reverse split to address Nasdaq minimum bid requirement.
Dec 12	Operational agreement	Positive	-1.0%	Factory utilization deal adding at least <b>20 units</b> annually to backlog.
Dec 10	Community project	Positive	-20.4%	Support for a youth-led Land Rover restoration, including over <b>$500</b> of parts.
Nov 20	Q3 earnings	Negative	-2.5%	Q3 revenue <b>$5.8M</b>, gross loss <b>$1.7M</b>, and Adjusted EBITDA <b>-$4.7M</b>.
Nov 20	Product showcase	Positive	-2.5%	Launch of Project Camel Trophy, a heavily upgraded Defender 110 build.

Pattern Detected

Across the last five news events, ECDA’s stock fell after both positive marketing updates and negative financial or structural developments, suggesting a pattern of selling pressure regardless of news tone.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, ECDA has combined branding and product stories with significant financial and capital-structure developments. Q3 2025 results showed revenue of $5.8M, a gross loss of $1.7M, and Adjusted EBITDA of -$4.7M, alongside liquidity concerns. Marketing builds like Project Camel Trophy and community efforts such as the “Little Blue Truck Project” coincided with share price declines. Corporate actions, including an S‑1 registration and a 1-for-5 reverse stock split effective Dec 26, 2025, also saw negative reactions, framing today’s Project Inizio launch against a backdrop of sustained market skepticism.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock is dropping -23.2% following this news. A negative reaction despite a visually appealing project update would fit the recent pattern in which ECDA traded lower following both positive and negative news. With shares at $0.195 versus a $42.00 52-week high and Q3 2025 results showing a gross loss of $1.7M and Adjusted EBITDA of -$4.7M, pressure around liquidity and prior dilution-related filings may have outweighed the branding benefits of Project Inizio in market perception.

Jargon Translator

convertible preferred stock

Convertible preferred stock is a special class of company shares that pays priority, usually fixed, payments to holders and can be exchanged later for a set number of common shares. It matters to investors because it combines steady income and added protection with the chance to share in a company’s upside; think of it as a hybrid between a bond that pays regularly and an option to convert into growth-oriented stock, where the conversion rules influence both potential gains and how much common shareholders’ ownership may be reduced.

equity purchase facility

An equity purchase facility is an arrangement in which a company can sell newly issued shares to a counterparty or through a broker over time to raise cash as needed, similar to having a standby line at the bank but paid by selling pieces of the company instead of borrowing. It matters to investors because it provides flexible funding without taking on debt, but it can dilute existing shareholders and affect share price depending on how and when the shares are sold.

going concern

A going concern is a business that is expected to continue its operations and meet its obligations for the foreseeable future, rather than shutting down or selling off assets. This assumption matters to investors because it indicates stability and ongoing profitability, making the business a more reliable investment. Think of it as believing a restaurant will stay open and serve customers, rather than closing down suddenly.

reverse stock split

A reverse stock split is when a company reduces the number of its shares outstanding, making each share more valuable. For example, if you own 100 shares worth $1 each, a 1-for-10 reverse split would turn your 100 shares into 10 shares worth $10 each. Companies often do this to boost their stock price and appear more stable to investors.

warrants

Warrants are special documents that give you the right to buy a company's stock at a set price before a certain date. They are often used as a way for companies to attract investors or raise money, and their value can increase if the company's stock price goes up.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

KISSIMMEE, Fl., Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECD Automotive Design, the world’s largest Land Rover and Jaguar restoration company known for its bespoke Defenders, Range Rovers, Jaguar E-Types, Ford Mustangs, and Toyota FJs, introduces Project Inizio, an example of how classic Series vehicles can be transformed for today’s drivers while honoring the spirit that made them icons.

Images of Project Inizio
Video of Project Inizio

Project Inizio serves as a showcase for the modernization and customization potential within the Series platform, a canvas defined by mechanical purity, timeless proportions, and an honest, utilitarian essence. Rather than replicating any one historic specification, Inizio demonstrates how these classic vehicles can be transformed to meet modern expectations for performance, reliability, and everyday usability while retaining their unmistakable charm.

ECD’s approach preserves the elemental character that Series enthusiasts love: the upright windscreen, compact wheelbase, galvanized detailing, and modular soft-top/hard-top flexibility. But beneath the nostalgic exterior lies a thoroughly updated foundation designed to bring the vehicle into the modern era without compromising its identity.

A GM 6.2L LS3 V8 paired with a GM Auto Sport 6-speed automatic delivers smooth, dependable power, an example of how classic platforms can benefit from contemporary engineering while still feeling authentic. Upgraded heavy-duty axles, EBC FAST brakes, and a Borla stainless exhaust illustrate the range of enhancements available to improve drivability, safety, and road confidence while maintaining the minimalist character of a vintage truck.

“Project Inizio represents something ECD does best, respecting the legacy while thoughtfully enhancing every touchpoint,” said Scott Wallace, CEO and Co-Founder ECD Automotive Design. “It’s a Series III built to be driven, enjoyed, and appreciated for decades to come.”

Project Inizio highlights ECD’s commitment to honoring heritage while delivering modern capability. It underscores what is possible when a beloved classic is reimagined with thoughtful engineering, experienced craftsmanship, and a dedication to preserving both its history and its relevance for generations.

Project Inizio Specifications

Model — SIII - 88 Soft Top
Engine — GM 6.2L V8 - LS3
Transmission — 6 Speed Automatic - GM Auto Sport
Brakes — EBC FAST
Suspension — ECD Air Ride
Exhaust — Road Suspension
Exterior Color — Land Rover Mid Grey
Wheels — 16 Inch - OEM Solid Steel Wheels - Black
Tires — BFG All Terrain - Black Walls Out
Side Steps — Fold Down - Black
Bumper — OEM SIII Style - Galvanized
Roof — Soft Top Frame Traditional Series III Style
Seat Layout — 2 + 4
Dash — Puma - Wrapped in Approved Tan Leather, with Black leather on Instrument Cluster Cover and Passenger Glove Box
Seats — OEM Low Back Rest Bucket Seats - Wrapped in Approved Tan Leather and Fluted Vertical Stitch Lines on Middle Inserts
Leather — Garrett: Avion Caramel and Avion Coal
Stitch Style — Vertical Fluted Lines
Custom features — Surrey Canvas Top (Extended Bikini Top) - Sand Color
Gauges — Dakota Digital / VHX-1018 in Black Alloy with White Lighting
Carpet — Black
Radio — Halo Style Touchscreen Stereo, Bluetooth, CarPlay
Subwoofer — Pioneer
Speakers — Pioneer
Additional features — Camera Back-up, remote locking and Alarm, remote start,

About ECD Automotive Design
ECD, a public company trading under ECDA on the Nasdaq, is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic beauty with modern performance. Currently, ECD restores Land Rovers Series, Land Rover Series IIA, the Range Rover Classic, Jaguar E-Type, Ford Mustang, Toyota FJ, and highly specialized vehicles from its Boutique Studio. Each vehicle produced by ECD is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified Automotive Service Excellence (“ASE”) craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British “gear heads’ whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. ECD’s global headquarters is a 100,000-square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida, that is home to 95 talented and dedicated employees who hold a combined 80 ASE and five master level certifications. ECD has an affiliated logistics center in the U.K., where its five employees work to source and transport 25-year-old work vehicles back to the U.S. for restoration. For more information, visit www.ecdautodesign.com.

Media Inquiries:
Dia Stewart
dia@ecdautodesign.com
(407) 483-4825

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f87a684-451c-438a-a182-8a273984b453

FAQ

What is Project Inizio from ECD Automotive Design (ECDA) announced on December 23, 2025?

Project Inizio is a modernized Series III - 88 Soft Top restored by ECD, combining classic Series styling with a GM 6.2L LS3 V8, 6-speed automatic, upgraded brakes, air ride, and modern infotainment.

Which drivetrain does the ECDA Project Inizio use and how does it change performance?

Project Inizio uses a GM 6.2L LS3 V8 paired with a GM Auto Sport 6-speed automatic, providing modern power delivery and dependability compared with original Series engines.

Will ECD sell Project Inizio conversions to customers and how does it affect ECDA's product lineup?

The announcement positions Project Inizio as a showcase of ECD’s restoration and customization capabilities, indicating availability of similar bespoke conversions through ECD’s services rather than a mass-production product.

What safety and drivability upgrades are included in ECDA's Project Inizio?

Upgrades include EBC FAST brakes, heavy-duty axles, Borla exhaust, and ECD air ride suspension to improve braking, durability, and ride comfort while keeping classic aesthetics.

What modern conveniences are added to the Series III in Project Inizio (ECDA)?

Project Inizio adds modern conveniences such as a Halo-style touchscreen stereo with CarPlay, Bluetooth, Pioneer speakers and subwoofer, backup camera, remote locking, alarm, and remote start.

How does Project Inizio preserve classic Series III styling while modernizing features?

ECD retains hallmark Series elements—upright windscreen, compact wheelbase, galvanized bumpers, OEM steel wheels—while integrating modern powertrain, suspension, brakes, and interior tech to balance authenticity and usability.