Volumes for Western Europe with car manufacturing came to 12.647 million in 2015, up 6.4%. That isn't surprising as the region's car sales improve. Measured against total world production, it was 18.45% (17.55% in 2014). The world total was only up 1.2% so a solid gain for this region.
It would be nice to have a breakdown by make for each country but I don't have that yet. That would add some reasons for what went on. So how about really brief summary by country?
Germany: I've said before Germany is about as high as it will go with units made. Wages cost should force mainstream models down, compensated by premium increases. The gain to Germany will be the average value of the cars made is going up. 45% of all cars made in the region is huge.
Spain: Benefiting no doubt from the European upturn and incentives in Spain to scrap cars. A 17.5% increase is sizable.
UK: As one car maker increases volume, another slips back, undermining predictions of bigger growth. With future JLR production to come from offshore, I'm thinking the 2015 number is not too far off a peak. The average value of each car made is high.
France: As you can see France was 2nd back in 2012, but now 4th. The French car industry was propped up by discounting but less so now, giving a more realistic figure. I imagine it will get to 3rd sometime but 2nd spot looks too far away now.
Italy: I have data back to 1990 and then Italy was the 3rd largest car maker here. It was 6th in 2014 but now up a place. The Jeep Renegade is no doubt the reason. It may be a long way down from days gone by but a 65% spurt was a welcome shot in the arm for Italian car manufacturing.
Belgium: I am sure the woeful 23.4% drop was due to the end of Ford production. Now that's dealt with, one could expect a levelling off now.
Sweden: It's all about Volvo, the only car maker in the country. Seeing as that car manufacturer had a good year, Sweden grew 22.6%.
Austria: I think the 2014 figure is too high, but that is what OICA says it was. With no car company to call its own, the reliance is on making them for others on a contract basis. That seems to work rather well.
Portugal: A minor car maker that will remain such because it isn't attracting new business.
Finland: Makes cars for others as is the case with Austria but at a more limited and exclusive level.
Netherlands: Another that makes cars for others. When Mitsubishi left in 2012, the following year was a zero. However, along came BMW with MINI production and cars are made there again.
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Model | 2015 | % | +/- | 2014 | % | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Germany | 5,707,938 | 45.1% | 2% | 5,604,026 | 47.1% | ||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Spain | 2,218,980 | 17.5% | 17% | 1,898,342 | 16.0% | ||
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | UK | 1,587,677 | 12.6% | 4% | 1,528,148 | 12.9% | ||
| 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | France | 1,553,800 | 12.3% | 4% | 1,495,000 | 12.6% | ||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | Italy | 663,139 | 5.2% | 65% | 401,317 | 3.4% | ||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | Belgium | 369,172 | 2.9% | -23% | 481,637 | 4.1% | ||
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Sweden | 188,987 | 1.5% | 23% | 154,173 | 1.3% | ||
| 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Austria | 131,380 | 1.0% | -3% | 136,000 | 1.1% | ||
| 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Portugal | 115,468 | 0.9% | -2% | 117,744 | 1.0% | ||
| 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Finland | 69,000 | 0.5% | 53% | 45,000 | 0.4% | ||
| 10 | 10 | - | 11 | 11 | Netherlands | 41,870 | 0.3% | 43% | 29,196 | 0.2% | ||
| Total | 12,647,411 | 6% | 11,890,583 |
Data source: OICA.
Summary: A major car manufacturing region that keeps on doing well despite not attracting new car manufacturers anymore. The region's relative stability helps, as does the quality of the products made. I presume it is the leading manufacturing region for premium cars, which are selling well.
Summary: A major car manufacturing region that keeps on doing well despite not attracting new car manufacturers anymore. The region's relative stability helps, as does the quality of the products made. I presume it is the leading manufacturing region for premium cars, which are selling well.
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