China was the leading country in terms of passenger car production in 2023: around 26.1 million units were produced here. This compares to about 7.8 million units in runner-up Japan.

Light vehicle production by country China remained the top light vehicle producing country in 2023. Domestic manufacturers such as SAIC, Changan, Dongfeng, Geely, and BAIC - which is in a joint-venture with Mercedes-Benz Group - are gaining market share; joint ventures with foreign partners were the key to China’s success as a motor vehicle producer, both in the passenger car and the truck segment. Japan, Germany, India, and South Korea completed the list of the world’s largest car producers. Most of these countries are home to the major manufacturers of passenger vehicles. The leading car manufacturers worldwide include Germany’s Volkswagen Group and the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. What are passenger cars? According to the source, passenger cars are motor vehicles with at least four wheels, used for the transport of passengers, and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.

This dataset provides values for CAR PRODUCTION reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Slovakia was the country with the highest number of cars produced per 1,000 inhabitants in 2022 with a value of *** cars produced per said number of inhabitants. Czechia placed second, producing *** cars per 1,000 residents, followed by South Korea with ** cars produced per one thousand inhabitants.

China led the market for motor vehicle production in 2023, producing more than 30 million cars and commercial vehicles that year. This was even greater than the production values of the other top five countries combined. In comparison, vehicle production in the United States—the second-ranking country—amounted to approximately 10.6 million units, the majority of which were commercial vehicles.

The Worldwide Drop in Automotive Production The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many problems for the worldwide automotive sector. Since governments took rapid actions to slow down the spread of the virus—such as national lockdowns, large-scale social distancing, and stringent border controls—global motor vehicle production shrunk by 15 percent in 2020. Motor vehicle production declined in all regions, especially in Europe and Noth America, where the production value experienced a decrease of around 21 percent. Although, in 2022, the automotive industry was showing signs of recovery, the production volume of 2022 was still below the levels of the pre-pandemic years.

The Chinese Market Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
China is a leading player in the global vehicle manufacturing industry, both in supply and demand. As of 2019, motor vehicle production in China accounted for nearly 29 percent of manufacturing operations worldwide. This figure reduced to 25 percent during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global supply chain and most industries. On a closer look, China's leading motor vehicle producer SAIC-General Motors slimmed down production numbers by 13 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, another joint venture between SAIC and Volkswagen manufactured approximately 22.4 percent fewer cars than the previous year. In 2022, China's share increased again and reached almost 32 percent of the global production.

Key information about United States Motor Vehicle Production

• United States Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 10,611,555.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 10,052,958.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• US Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 11,292,123.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13,024,978.000 Unit in 1999 and a record low of 5,731,397.000 Unit in 2009.
• US Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about Germany Motor Vehicle Production

• Germany Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 4,109,371.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 3,480,357.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Germany Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 5,649,260.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 6,213,460.000 Unit in 2007 and a record low of 3,096,165.000 Unit in 2021.
• Germany Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

In the last years, Mexico has positioned itself as the largest producer of vehicles in Latin America. In 2024, the North American country produced just over *** million motor vehicles, followed by Brazil, where around *********** units were produced. In addition, most of the motor vehicles produced in Mexico were light commercial vehicles.

The average for 2023 based on 57 countries was 1102394 passenger cars. The highest value was in China: 26062824 passenger cars and the lowest value was in Bulgaria: 35764 passenger cars. The indicator is available from 2005 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This dataset provides values for TOTAL VEHICLE SALES reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Key information about Japan Motor Vehicle Production

• Japan Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 8,997,440.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 7,835,539.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Japan Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 9,774,665.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 11,596,327.000 Unit in 2007 and a record low of 7,835,539.000 Unit in 2022.
• Japan Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

This Dataset contains information about world's motor vehicle production for selected countries. 1961-2021. Data from US Department of Transportation. Notes:

Prior to 2000, the country of manufacture was recognized as the producing country. To conform with current OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) practices, starting in 2000, the country of final assembly was recognized as the producing country. This explains the sudden change in trends across some countries from 1999 to 2000.

Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. Also numbers may not add to totals due to the inclusion of small countries in the total.

Beginning in 1998, some smaller countries not listed in this table are included in the world totals.

a Does not include minivans, pickups, and sport utility vehicles.

b Formerly Czechoslovakia and Ward's does not report a number for Slovakia before 2005.

c Yugoslavia no longer exists and Ward's does not report numbers for countries that were previously a part of Yugoslavia.

d Includes all trucks and buses. Light trucks, such as pickups, sport utility vehicles, and minivans are included under Commercial vehicles.

e The 2000 and 2005-2009 figures for Total passenger cars and commercial vehicles are revised by the source. However, the detailed information for each component in 2000 is not available, thus the details are not revised in this table and will not add up to the total for this year.

Source: 1961-2016: Wards Intelligence, Motor Vehicle Facts & Figures (Southfield, MI: Annual Issues), p. 10 and similar pages in earlier editions. 2017-2019: Ibid., Wards Automotive Yearbook (Southfield, MI: Annual Issues), World Vehicle Production in Major Countries.

Key information about China Motor Vehicle Production

• China Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 30,160,966.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 27,020,615.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• China Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 18,264,761.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 30,160,966.000 Unit in 2023 and a record low of 1,579,699.000 Unit in 1997.
• China Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

In 2024, China's automotive industry produced approximately ***** million passenger cars. In comparison, around **** million passenger cars were produced in Japan that year.China leads in passenger car production volumeChina did not only produce the most passenger cars in Asia in 2023, but was estimated to produce the most passenger cars globally. It is also anticipated that Chinese manufacturing companies such as BYD Auto Co. Ltd. will overtake the likes of America-based manufacturer Tesla in the electric car segment. Manufacturer collaborations China has implemented a strong culture for joint ventures in the automotive industry. The leading car manufacturers worldwide, including General Motors, Nissan, and Volkswagen have joint ventures with key Chinese carmakers such as SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (informally SAIC, formerly Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), Chang'an Automobile, FAW Group Corporation, and Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Its joint venture policy has helped China become Asia’s main producer of automobiles, ahead of Japan and South Korea. Unlike China, these two countries have had strong domestic automotive sectors of their own for many decades and are home to some of the most valuable automobile manufacturers worldwide, such as Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai.

European car production is greatly affected by household income and consumer and business confidence levels, which dictates private and fleet sales at dealerships. The level of business confidence and expansion plans influence fleet sales and orders from road freight operators. Overall, car manufacturing revenue in Europe is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 2.3% over the five years through 2025 to €1.2 trillion, including growth of 0.8% in 2025. Squeezed household income has driven down dealership orders in recent years, weighing on output and revenue growth. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association shows that car production shot up by 10.2%, in 2023 as it came out of a pandemic-induced low. Car makers have contended with semiconductor shortages, which altered and led to suspensions in production schedules between 2021 and 2023. The disruption and higher costs of car parts resulted in a 6.2% decline in production in 2024, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, hitting profit. The fall in orders of diesel vehicles in most markets in favour of plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles contributed to a fall in output as the automotive sector transitions. In 2025, the industry faces the threat of tariffs imposed by the US and likely retaliatory tariffs from the EU, which will raise costs and reduce exports to the US, a crucial market for EU car makers. Revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 4.4% over the five years through 2030 to €1.4 trillion. Environmental policies will drive car production further towards alternatively fuelled vehicles, significantly reducing petrol and diesel vehicle production, especially with an upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles across the EU from 2035. Some countries have gone even further - the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, France and Spain will ban selling new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. As a result, many EU producers have announced plans to only make hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. Car makers will benefit from efforts by EU governments to reduce carbon emissions, leading to funding for chargepoints, which should drive up electric vehicle uptake.

Key information about India Motor Vehicle Production

• India Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 5,851,507.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 5,457,242.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• India Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 3,381,819.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5,851,507.000 Unit in 2023 and a record low of 535,433.000 Unit in 1998.
• India Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about Iran Motor Vehicle Production

• Iran Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 1,188,471.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 1,064,215.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Iran Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 982,337.000 Unit from Dec 1999 to 2023, with 25 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,648,505.000 Unit in 2011 and a record low of 119,419.000 Unit in 1999.
• Iran Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about Mexico Motor Vehicle Production

• Mexico Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 4,002,047.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 3,509,101.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Mexico Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 2,342,282.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4,100,770.000 Unit in 2018 and a record low of 1,359,542.000 Unit in 1997.
• Mexico Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about Egypt Motor Vehicle Production

• Egypt Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 23,754.000 Unit in Dec 2020.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 18,500.000 Unit for Dec 2019.
• Egypt Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 56,288.500 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2020, with 24 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 116,683.000 Unit in 2010 and a record low of 18,500.000 Unit in 2019.
• Egypt Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about Russia Motor Vehicle Production

• Russia Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 729,864.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 609,082.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Russia Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 1,386,127.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 2,233,103.000 Unit in 2012 and a record low of 609,082.000 Unit in 2022.
• Russia Motor Vehicle Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

Key information about US Number of Registered Vehicles

• US Number of Registered Vehicles was reported at 283,400,986 Unit in Dec 2022.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 282,354,993 Unit for Dec 2021.
• US Number of Registered Vehicles data is updated yearly, averaging 93,949,852 Unit from Dec 1910 to 2022, with 113 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 283,400,986 Unit in 2022 and a record low of 468,500 Unit in 1910.
• US Number of Registered Vehicles data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: No of Registered Vehicles: Annual.

Federal Highway Administration provides No of Registered Vehicles. No of Registered Vehicles includes No of Registered Motorcycles. No of Registered Vehicles prior to 2011 excludes No of Registered Motorcycles.