Automotive Industry & Market Numbers
The automotive industry is the largest industry in Germany and the European leader. The sector’s proven record of accomplishment and commitment to new mobility technologies make it the world’s auto innovation hub.
- The automotive industry is the largest industry sector in Germany. In 2021, the auto sector listed turnover of EUR 410.9 billion – around 20 percent of total German industry revenue.
- Germany is Europe’s number one automotive market, accounting for around 25 percent of all passenger cars manufactured (3.1 million) and approximately 20 percent of all new car registrations (2.6 million).
- One in every five cars worldwide carries a German brand.
- Germany is home to 44 automobile assembly and engine production plants with a capacity of over one third of total automobile production in Europe.
- In 2021, Germany‘s domestic internal automotive industry R&D expenditure rose to EUR 28.25 billion – equivalent to 35 percent of total R&D expenditure in Germany.
- Fifteen of the world’s top 75 automotive suppliers are German companies.*
- Almost 77 percent of cars produced in Germany in 2021 were ultimately destined for international markets – a new record.
- More than 40 percent of patent registrations in Germany originate from the automotive industry.
- Around 786.100 are employed in the industry as a whole in 2021.
Source: VDA und ACEA 2022
* Source: Crain Communications 2021
