ACEA

Europe has more than 250 automobile production sites

Europe is the world’s largest motor vehicle producer. In total, there are more than 250 automobile manufacturing plants in Europe, directly employing 2.3 million Europeans (and indirectly supporting a further 10 million jobs in related sectors). These sites produce more than 18.5 million vehicles each year, including over 32% of the world’s passenger cars.

The majority of European plants – roughly 170 – are operated by 14 manufacturers (all members of ACEA): BMW, DAF, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, GM, MAN, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Scania, Volvo, and Volkswagon AG. Between them, these companies manufacture 90% of Europe’s vehicles (source: ACEA’s Index of Automotive Production & Assembly Sites in Europe, 2004). The remaining European plants are operated by smaller, specialist or Japanese manufacturers.

Automotive manufacture takes place across the continent. Germany leads the way with the most plants (36 in 2004), followed by the UK (32), Italy (29) and France (25). In Central and Eastern Europe, manufacture is concentrated in Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia, each with more than 10 plants.

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