Germany's automotive market is the largest in the EU, but still modestly sized compared with that of China or the US. Since 2000, annual average new-car sales of 3.2m and commercial vehicle sales of 300,000 have been accompanied by a steady rise (amid volatility) in domestic vehicle production. Germany is the world's fourth-largest vehicle manufacturer and the largest in Europe.
New-car registrations declined by 2.9% in 2012 and a further 4.2% in 2013, but recovered modestly in 2014 to rise by 2.9%, mirroring a gradual upturn across the EU (which registered its first annual growth in sales for seven years). The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts steady growth in new-car registrations in Germany in 2015, but prospects for a sustained turnaround remain uncertain, given the weakness of the euro zone and risks related to the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Sales trends are likely to remain volatile on an annual basis.
After two years of solid expansion, German vehicle manufacturers reported a sharp fall in domestic production in 2012. Output has gradually strengthened since then, supported by demand for luxury vehicles from foreign buyers, with production rising by an estimated 3% in 2014. We forecast similar growth in 2015-16. About 60% of production of German-branded vehicles now occurs abroad, with vehicle-makers' future investment plans largely focused on developing markets and North America.

Automotive report 2

Overview 2

Passenger cars 3

Commercial and other vehicles 5

Production 7

Fuel sources 9

Industry publishing schedule 11

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