Spanish auto industry remains weak despite January recovery
The Spanish automotive sector increased both production and exports sequentially in January, Kallanish notes. Performance, however, remained weaker compared to the beginning of 2023.
“January began with the same downward trend that marked the end of 2024,” comments national automotive association Nacional de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones (Anfac) president José López-Tafall. “While this is partly due to factory adjustments, including changes in work shifts and new model rollouts, we cannot overlook the overall decline in the sector at a critical moment for our industry.”
He emphasises the urgent need to stimulate demand, not just in Spain but across Europe, to safeguard competitiveness. “We must align all stakeholders, establish a short-term action plan, and develop a long-term sustainable strategy to ensure the industry’s competitiveness and drive innovation in electric vehicles, the only true growth driver for the sector,” he adds.
Production in January reached 168,076 units, compared with 139,203 vehicles in December. This volume, however, was down 27.2% on the same month in 2024. Of the total, 61.8% were gasoline and diesel-powered automobiles.
Spanish vehicle exports grew in December. Shipments were 145,170 units, up from 134,813 units in the previous month but 28% down compared to a year ago.
European markets had a 92.2% share in Spanish deliveries in January, 0.9 percentage points less on-month but 1 p.p. higher year-on-year, Anfac data show.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
Spain’s automobile sector dips in June
Spain’s car industry saw its performance decline in June, Kallanish notes.
According to national automotive association Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones (Anfac), output in June was 218,950 units, compared to 249,515 vehicles in May. This was also 7.1% less than the same month in 2023. Of the total, 75.4% was gasoline and diesel-powered automobiles. Six-month production amounted to 1.33 million units, just 1.1% more compared to January-June last year.
“Despite the decline observed in the last two months, the overall annual rate remains stable and above that of the previous year,” says Anfac general director José López-Tafall.
He however notes there has been a decline in electrical vehicle business due to model changes and production readjustments. “It is a priority for manufacturers to sell more plug-in models, both in Spain and abroad. The end of purchase subsidies in countries like Germany, one of our main export destinations, is causing a sharp drop in demand, which is affecting orders at our factories.”
Spanish vehicle exports fell in June. Shipments were at 186,813 units, compared to 221,354 units in the previous month and 9% lower than in June 2023.
European markets had a 93.5% share in Spanish deliveries in June, unchanged on-month and 2.3 percentage points higher on-year. Six-month exports slipped 0.5% over the same period in 2023 to 1.17 million vehicles, Anfac data show.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
