Car Production In Germany By Brand : 2000-09

This was the first time since WW II that numerically there was a drop through a decade. Production did hit a record in 2007 but the economic downturn hit and volumes suffered. Premium production was 41% in 1999 but had quickly reached 50% by 2006. Mainstream models are affected more by economic depressions but also the high cost of making cars in Germany was sending some production elsewhere.

Below we see how Audi jumped to become the second largest car producer, up from fifth. GM Opel was the big mover, from second to sixth. The locals were increasingly spurning regular cars as affluence allowed them to buy something more upmarket. That was helping premium volumes as well. That said, Ford did manage a sizable increase.

Porsche had decided to widen it's range and the new Cayenne SUV had a big impact from 2003. If you wonder what the 'Other' cars were, they were mainly Chrysler, with a few Bentley's temporarily. There are also some tiny car makes too that I found data for.

The Porsche Cayenne proved that the appearance of a car won't put buyers off
....if the driving experience and brand are right

The figures below are in thousands, so add three zeros for the total figure.

Yr	VW	Audi	BMW	MB	Ford	GM	Por	Oth	Total
2000	1,294	594	710	932	577	993	32	-	5,132
2001	1,283	671	734	980	671	929	33	-	5,301
2002	1,115	682	751	979	691	869	36	-	5,123
2003	1,104	726	717	964	698	848	68	20	5,145
2004	1,072	752	759	967	742	788	74	38	5,192
2005	1,086	774	847	957	818	777	77	14	5,350
2006	1,099	828	905	938	808	746	66	8	5,398
2007	1,285	832	983	978	791	753	84	3	5,709
2008	1,322	875	902	958	780	614	81	1	5,533
2009	1,214	847	829	760	739	510	65	1	4,965