German car manufacturers faced a tumultuous year in 2024, navigating significant changes in the global automotive market while still managing to export more vehicles than the previous year. According to the Statistische Bundesamt, German car producers exported a total of 3.4 million new cars, marking a 2.5 percent increase over 2023. However, the revenue from these exports painted a different picture, as the overall value of vehicles exported dropped to 135 billion euros, reflecting a decrease of 1.3 percent compared to the previous year.
One of the noteworthy highlights from this year was the substantial growth in the export of electric vehicles (EVs). The export of purely electric cars surged by 11.9 percent, resulting in a total of 881,000 units exported, which now represent a significant 25.9 percent of all exports. Despite this encouraging trend in electric vehicle sales, traditional gasoline-powered vehicles still dominated the market. In fact, 42 percent of all exported cars in 2024 were gasoline-powered, translating to 1.4 million vehicles being shipped abroad.
Further diversifying their offerings, German manufacturers also exported 584,000 hybrid vehicles, which accounted for 17.2 percent of total exports, alongside 512,000 diesel vehicles, making up 15.0 percent. The demand for German cars abroad remains strong, particularly in the United States, which held the position as the largest market, absorbing 13.1 percent of all exports. Following the U.S. market, the United Kingdom and France stood as crucial destinations, accounting for 11.3 percent and 7.4 percent of exports, respectively.
However, not all trends were positive in the automotive sector. Germany's imports of cars fell significantly, with a notable decline of 11.5 percent to 1.8 million vehicles in 2024. This decline extended to the financial aspect as well, with the import value plummeting by 12.8 percent. Of particular interest was the sharp drop in the import of electric cars, which plummeted from 451,000 units in 2023 to just 244,000 in the most recent year, highlighting a trend that contrasts sharply with the rising export figures.
The dynamics at play in the German automotive industry reflect a broader narrative of transformation amid challenges. German carmakers continue to innovate with a focus on electric vehicles, responding to international demand for greener, more sustainable transport options. Analysts note that this shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles illustrates the industry's adaptability to changing consumer preferences and regulatory pressures aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Despite the setbacks in imports, the robust performance of electric exports signifies a promising direction for the industry. Experts explain that while the decrease in import volume could suggest domestic manufacturers facing competition from international firms, the resilience shown in exporting higher volumes of
electric vehicles could be a game-changer.
The 2024 export figures mark a testament to the perseverance of the German automotive industry as it strives to hold its ground in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Manufacturers respect the need to evolve with the times, often forecasting a future where electric vehicles become the norm rather than the exception.
