Vehicle Production and Export Decline by Over 27%

Vehicle production in Spain experienced a significant decline in January 2024. Compared to the same month of the previous year, production fell by 27.2%, reaching 168,076 units.

Exports of vehicles manufactured in Spain also saw a decrease of 28% in January 2024. Despite this drop compared to the same month last year, the foreign market remains crucial for the Spanish automotive industry, as 86% of the vehicles produced in January were destined for other countries.

According to the manufacturers' association Anfac, vehicle production in January decreased by 27.2% compared to the figure recorded in the same period of 2024, reaching 168,076 units. The main reasons for this decline at the start of the year include adjustments in work shifts at production centers and their adaptation to the introduction of new electrified models.

Regarding vehicle types, the trend was similar to recent months, with a more pronounced decline in commercial and industrial vehicles than in passenger cars, falling by 33.7% in the former to 35,914 units, compared to a 25.3% drop in passenger cars, totaling 132,162 units.

During the first month of the year, the production of zero and low-emission vehicles (electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, conventional hybrids, natural gas, and LPG) increased by 52.2% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 65,179 units, representing 38.8% of the production share. In this regard, the most significant production growth in January was in conventional hybrid vehicles (HEV), which increased by 62.7%, accounting for 27.1% of the total production share for the month.

Regarding the share of electrified vehicle manufacturing, in January it reached 10.5% of total production, registering an increase of 3.6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. In total, 17,611 electrified vehicles were manufactured, representing an increase of 10.3% compared to January of the previous year.

According to José López-Tafall, general director of Anfac, this production decline "is conditioned by factory adjustments, both in work shifts and new models. We cannot overlook the focus on a decline in our production at a critical moment for our industry. The good news is that the production of electrified models is gaining momentum and continues to show positive growth."

Regarding exports, a total of 145,170 units were sent abroad in January, indicating a reduction of 28% compared to the same month in 2024. In any case, the weight of exports continues to be a strategic pillar for Spanish plants, as 86% of the vehicles manufactured in January were destined for the foreign market.

Focusing on the destination of models manufactured domestically, Europe once again occupies the top spot with 92.1% of vehicle shipments in the first month of the year, representing an increase of one percentage point compared to the same period in 2024.

In this regard, López-Tafall highlighted that "it is essential to boost demand, not only in Spain but also in Europe, to maintain the competitiveness that has always defined our industry."

Within this territory, France continues to lead in the first position, followed by Germany and Turkey—which grew by 2.9% compared to January of the previous year—, the United Kingdom, and Italy. In any case, with the exception of Israel and Morocco, there has been a general decline in the main export destinations for Spain, with a particularly sharp drop of 46% in Italy and 44% in Portugal.