ACEA

Trade

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In 2009, the automotive sector continued to contribute positively to the EU trade balance with a € 28.6 bn surplus, or 35.1% less than what was recorded in 2008. Indeed, a decrease was noted for the first time in four years, reflecting the difficult situation generated by the economic crisis. While the EU exported € 53.8 bn worth of motor vehicles, or 32.6% less than a year earlier, imports represented € 25.2 bn, or 29.6% less than in 2008. Passenger cars accounted for a € 26.0 bn and trucks (including buses and coaches) for a € 3.3 bn surplus while a deficit of € 686 mio was registered as regards light commercial vehicle trade.

In the trade of passenger cars, the four main partners vis-à-vis which the EU has a surplus are the NAFTA and EFTA countries, China and the Middle East. In 2009, more than 40% of the EU car trade surplus value came from the EU exports to the NAFTA countries, 21.4% to the EFTA countries, 19.7% to China and 12.4% to the Middle East.

While Japan is the fifth largest destination of EU exports (5.6%), EU’s biggest car trade deficit (€ -5.2 bn) comes from its imports from Japan, as the EU imports about five times as many cars as it exports. Other trading partners with which the EU trade balance reveals a deficit are South Korea (€ -1.8 bn), India (€ -1.4 bn) and Turkey (€ -1.2 bn), as its import value is 3, 15 and 1.5 times higher than the value of its exports towards those countries.

• Dossier - Trade

 

 

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