Despite a number of challenges, Czech car manufacturers managed to increase production by 3.9% year-on-year in 2024, achieving a historic high of 1,452,881 passenger cars produced. Production of trucks also increased (1522, +6.3%), motorcycles (909, +20.4%), and trailers and semi-trailers (2020, +11.9%). Conversely, production decreased for buses (4489, -14.5%) and small trailers (15,842, -6.4%). Vehicles with electric powertrains accounted for 7.8% of the total annual production of domestic manufacturers. In 2024, 113,232 all-electric passenger cars and 37,930 plug-in hybrid passenger cars, as well as 245 all-electric buses, were produced. However, the pace of production slowed down towards the end of the year compared to the beginning.

"Despite worsening conditions, including disrupted supply chains, the negative impact of geopolitical conflicts, a slow economic recovery, and persistently high energy prices, the automotive industry achieved remarkable results in 2024. Total passenger car production in the Czech Republic increased year-on-year by 3.9% to a historic record of 1,452,881 vehicles. These figures clearly demonstrate that the Czech automotive industry remains a key pillar of both the domestic and European economies. It is also becoming apparent that the increasing regulatory pressure on the share of electric vehicles in sales is occurring at a time when customer interest in purchasing them is declining. This will further complicate the already challenging environment that European regulations create for the industry in 2025. Therefore, it is essential that the European Commission takes the following steps promptly. First, it should clearly state that penalties for a low share of electric vehicles are counterproductive under the current circumstances. During 2025, it should then present a revision of the CO2 emission targets for vehicle manufacturers, which will ensure true technological neutrality and give customers the choice of powertrain for their vehicles. Finally, it should propose a genuine industrial policy that supports the competitiveness of production in the EU against global competition and will mean lower prices for vehicles purchased by customers. The basis of such a proposal must be a revision of the existing regulatory framework and the elimination of unintended negative consequences of regulations that are often impossible to meet or are mutually contradictory. Another European regulatory marathon, like the one we witnessed between 2019 and 2024, will not help either the climate or the industry, and, above all, not the customer," said Martin Jahn, President of the Czech Automotive Industry Association (SAP).

Passenger Cars

In 2024, a total of 1,452,881 passenger cars were manufactured in the Czech Republic, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9% compared to 2023. More than 93% of the manufactured cars (1,350,958 units) were destined for foreign markets. Consequently, vehicle exports increased by 4.5% year-on-year. A total of 101,923 vehicles were sold on the domestic market, accounting for 7% of the total production. In contrast to exports, domestic sales of passenger cars decreased year-on-year by 3.5%. A total of 151,162 electric cars were manufactured from January to December, representing 10.4% of the domestic production. This included 113,232 battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and 37,930 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The electric vehicle segment, therefore, experienced a year-on-year decrease of 16.4%. Škoda Auto, the largest domestic automaker, which accounts for 61.7% of the total passenger car production in the Czech Republic, manufactured a total of 896,933 cars in its domestic plants in 2024 (+3.7%). Of these, 84,476 vehicles (9.4%) were sold on the domestic market, while 812,457 vehicles (90.6%) were destined for foreign markets. The Mladá Boleslav-based automaker produced 96,534 electric vehicles (BEV and PHEV) from January to December, representing 10.8% of the brand's total production. This included 79,932 battery-electric vehicles and 16,602 plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech plant in Nošovice, a total of 330,890 vehicles were manufactured in the twelve months of 2024, which is 2.8% less than in 2023. Of the total number of vehicles, 33,300 were purely electric and 21,328 were plug-in hybrid. In total, electric vehicles manufactured in Nošovice accounted for 16.5% of the brand's total domestic production. More than 95% (316,066 units) of the manufactured vehicles were destined for foreign markets, while the remaining 5%, i.e. 14,824 vehicles, were sold on the domestic market. The total production of the Korean automaker in the Czech Republic represents 22.8% of the total number of passenger cars produced. A total of 225,058 fully assembled cars were produced at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Kolín in 2024, which is 32,631 vehicles, or 17% more than in the same period of 2023, which was affected by a number of shutdowns due to suspended supply of production components, especially in the spring and summer months. The Kolín-based manufacturer accounted for 15.5% of the total passenger car production in the Czech Republic, with half of its production being the hybrid Yaris HEV model. [Image of buses]

Bus production experienced a slight year-on-year decline, primarily due to the order-driven nature of the industry. In 2024, a total of 4,489 buses were manufactured in the Czech Republic, which is 764 fewer (-14.5%) than in 2023. Of the total number of buses produced, 899 were intended for the domestic market (+25.7%), and 4,924 were destined for export (-11%). Iveco Czech Republic in Vysoké Mýto produced 4,040 buses (-14.8%), and an additional 604 buses were assembled and completed at the sister plant in Foggia, Italy. The SOR plant in Libchavy also recorded lower production figures, with a total of 416 buses produced, which is 76 fewer than in 2023. More than 79.5% of production, i.e., 331 buses of this brand, were sold domestically, while the remaining 20.4%, i.e., 85 buses, were for export. In contrast, KHMC recorded a higher production trend, with 31 minibuses produced, which is 11 more than in 2023. A significant year-on-year increase (+744.8%) was recorded in the production of all-electric buses, with a total of 245 units produced from January to December. 193 of these came off the production lines of Iveco Czech Republic, and 52 were from SOR Libchavy.

Trucks

Tatra Trucks, the only manufacturer of trucks among the members of the Automotive Industry Association, experienced another successful year. The company increased production by 90 units (+6.3%) to a total of 1,522 trucks. Production of the Kopřivnice brand was destined for both export (969 units) and domestic sales, with 579 Tatra trucks allocated for the latter.

Motorcycles

The traditional motorcycle manufacturer Jawa Moto recorded a year-on-year increase in production of 154 motorcycles (+20.4%). From January to December 2024, a total of 909 motorcycles were produced by the Czech brand, of which 478 (52.6%) were exported, and 431 (47.4%) were sold in the Czech Republic.

Trailers

In the segment of trailers and semi-trailers, 17,862 units were produced from January to December, representing a 4.6% year-on-year decrease. The overall decline in this segment was primarily driven by Agados, which specializes in the production of small trailers up to 3.5 tons. In 2024, the company produced a total of 15,842 units, a 6.4% decrease compared to the previous year. In the Czech Republic, Agados sold 8,350 units (-9.5%), while 7,080 units were exported (-4.1%). In the segment of large trailers and semi-trailers exceeding 3.5 tons, Agados manufactured 3 units. Panav, a manufacturer in the segment of large trailers and semi-trailers, also reported a year-on-year decrease in production, with 489 units manufactured in the Czech Republic (-5.2%). Of the total production, 419 units were sold domestically, and 67 units were exported. Conversely, Schwarzmüller reported year-on-year higher production figures, with a total of 1,528 trailers and semi-trailers assembled in 2024, an increase of 19.1% compared to the previous year. Of the total production of the brand, 1,396 units were exported, and 220 units were sold in the Czech Republic.

SAP/ gnews.cz - RoZ

PHOTO – Facebook AutoSAP

Translation: legacy (English)

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