Automobile production in Portugal reached 95,582 cars in the first quarter, 4.7% more than the same period of the previous year, despite the drop of more than 20% in March, the Automobile Association of Portugal announced this Monday. Portugal (ACAP).
Since the beginning of the year there have been 77,374 passenger cars built (+9.7% compared to March 2023), 16,833 light goods (-13.2%) and 1,375 heavy goods (+2.4%).
In March, 31,732 cars were produced in Portugal, which represents a decrease of 20.2% compared to the same month last year, ACAP explains in a statement.
Of the total passenger cars produced in the third month of the year, 26,193 were passenger cars (-17.5% compared to March 2023), 5,117 light passenger cars (-31.2%) and 422 heavy vehicles (-23.8% ).
ACAP noted that abroad was the main destination of cars manufactured in Portugal in the first three months of 2024, with 98.4% destined for the foreign market, “which contributes significantly to the Portuguese trade balance.”
According to the association, Europe remains the main market for exports of cars manufactured in Portugal, with 79.8%, with Germany (22.3%), Italy (12.7%), Spain (9.5%). and France (9.3%). as the four main destinations.
The African market continues to occupy second place among the regions, with 12.7%, with Algeria standing out (10.2%), while Asia is the destination of 3.8% of automobile exports.
Regarding the assembly of heavy vehicles, In March, 35 heavy vehicles were assembled —all of them passengers—, the equivalent of a 250.0% increase in homologous terms.
In the first three months, the accumulated rose 69.6%, up to 78.
ACAP points out that until March, 55.1% of those assembled in Portugal were exported, which represents 43 units, with the United Kingdom (67.4%) and Germany (32.6%) being the only destinations for these exports.
Source: Observadora
