Spanish automotive output grew by 1% year-on-year to 218,411 vehicles in January, maintaining a production rate of 12,000 units/day, Kallanish learns from the Spanish car manufacturers’ association Anfac. The output recorded in the first month of 2016 is the highest since 2008, the association says.

While Anfac is cautious with regard to its forecast for 2016, it expects Spanish producers to reach an annual output of 2.8 million vehicles, matching production levels recorded in 2007.

The increase in production, as also witnessed in 2015, follows the growth of exports destined to the European market.  It also tracks a significant improvement in domestic demand.

Passenger car production in January remained relatively stable, growing slightly by 0.13% y-o-y to 174,705 units. SUV and off-road production saw an increase, totalling 2,267 vehicles or 15.3% more y-o-y.

Meanwhile, commercial vehicle production increased by 4.4% y-o-y in January to 41,439 units. The increase recorded in this segment is mostly due to substantial growth seen in both light and heavy industrial vehicle production. Production in these two categories increased by around 90% y-o-y to 1,958 and 665 units respectively.

Source: Anfac

Production for sale overseas confirmed the positive trend seen throughout 2015, increasing by nearly 1.6% y-o-y to 177,784 units in January. Around 81% of national production is destined for export, Anfac says.

Source: Anfac