Car production in Portugal falls in the first half of the year

Automobile production in Portugal declined in the first half of the year—0.8 percent compared to the same period last year, with 177,825 vehicles. Data from ACAP (the Portuguese Automobile Association) released this Friday also shows a 27 percent increase in June compared to the same month last year.

In a statement, the Portuguese Automobile Association (ACAP) reported that 32,829 motor vehicles were produced in Portugal in June, an increase of 27% compared to the same month in 2024.

In the first half of the year, 139,468 light passenger vehicles were produced in Portugal, 3.8% less than in the same period last year, of which 26,438 were produced in June, a year-on-year increase of 33.4%.

As regards light goods vehicles, 36,630 vehicles were produced up to June (up 13.8%) and, in the sixth month of the year, 5,999 (up 1.6%).

As for heavy vehicles, production reached 1,727 units until June, which represents a drop of 18.2%, but it shot up 197%, to 392 units, considering only the last month of the semester.

According to ACAP, Europe "continues to be the leading market for exports of vehicles manufactured in Portugal -- with 88% --, with Germany (21.3%), Italy (11.7%), France (10.6%), Turkey (10.4%) and Spain (9.5%) at the top of the ranking".

The African and American markets come in second place, each with 3% of exports of automobiles manufactured in Portugal, followed by Asia, with 2.9% of exports of automobiles manufactured in Portugal.

Regarding the assembly of heavy vehicles, in the first six months of 2025 there was a decrease of 27.5% compared to the same period of the previous year, with 111 vehicles assembled.

Considering only the month of June, 18 heavy vehicles were assembled, a drop of 18.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

From January to June 2025, 96.4% of vehicles assembled in Portugal were exported, representing 107 units, with Germany (89.7%) and England (10.3%) being the only destinations for these exports.

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