The Spanish automotive sector recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic impact floundered in August, Kallanish learns from national Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones (Anfac).
“Production is recovering progressively since the restart of activity of Spanish automotive factories in May,” Anfac says. “The summer period, however, conditioned the rhythm of output during July and August.”
July-August saw a sales recovery in the main European markets, such as France (+3.9%) and the UK (11.3%), the association observes. “Meanwhile, the Spanish market saw a slow return to activity, which prevented production from recovering at a better pace. One in four vehicles manufactured in Spain stays within our borders, so it is also necessary to increase demand in the country for factories to recover,” Anfac adds.
Spain’s automotive production totalled 80,481 units in August, down -27.9% compared to the same month in 2019. January-August output was 1,274,642 vehicles, -32.7% less than in the first eight months of last year.
August Spanish vehicle exports were 82,994 units, a fall by -14.1% on-year. Year-to-date shipments abroad fell -29.6% to 1,081,845 units, Anfac adds.