Of the total number of cars produced in the first month of this year, 23,907 are passenger cars (77.5% more compared to January 2023), 5,747 are light goods vehicles (-13.1%) and 435 are heavy vehicles (-7. 8%).

ACAP pointed out that the data reinforces “the importance that exports represent for the automotive sector since 99.3% of vehicles manufactured in Portugal are destined for the foreign market, which contributes significantly to the Portuguese trade balance”.

According to the association, Europe continues to be the leading market for exports of vehicles manufactured in Portugal, with 75.4%, particularly Germany (20.0%), Italy (12.8%), Spain ( 8.6%) and France (7.3%) as the four main destinations. The African market remains in second place among regions, with 16.1%, while Asia is the destination for 5.5% of automobile exports.

In relation to the assembly of heavy vehicles, in January, 20 heavy vehicles were assembled – all of them passenger –, equivalent to an increase of 25.0% year-on-year. ACAP points out that in January, 55.0% of vehicles assembled in Portugal were exported, representing 11 units, with the United Kingdom (81.8%) and Germany (18.2%) being the only destinations for these exports.