Czech automotive production has maintained its growing trend into 2017, rising 9.1% on-year in January-February to 252,878 units, according to the latest Czech Automotive Industry Association (AIA) data seen by Kallanish.

The Czech Republic is Central and Eastern Europe’s largest car manufacturer, sourcing automotive steel from US Steel Kosice (USSK) and ArcelorMittal among other suppliers, and selling most cars for export.

Production mainly consists of passenger and light commercial vehicles (M1+N1), whose output rose 9.2% on-year in January-February to 251,774 units. Skoda comprised 60% of output, Hyundai 25% and Toyota, Peugeot, Citroen (TPCA) 15%.

Of the 252,272 M1+N1 cars sold by the Czech Republic in January-February, 93% went for export.

Czech production of buses in the two months rose 1.1% to 642 units.

Production of trucks, meanwhile, carried out by sole manufacturer Tatra, surged 87.8% to 231 units.

In 2016 Czech automotive production grew 8.2% on-year to an all-time annual record 1.35 million units.