Türkiye and Morocco cushion Europe’s blow to ‘made in Spain’ car exports
The automobile industry in Spain faces latest sprint with practically stagnant production and declining exportsweighed down by the weakness of demand in the main European markets. In this context, the ‘made in Spain’ car has opted to further diversify its deliveries, historically dominated by Europe, with destinations such as Turkey or Morocco that are beginning to gain prominence given the decline in orders heading to the Old Continent.
According to data released this Wednesday by the manufacturers’ association Anfac, vehicle production reached 216,528 units in November, which represents a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the same month in 2024. However, the accumulated balance of the year maintains a negative trend: Between January and November, 2,129,781 vehicles were manufactured, 4.8% less than in the same period of the previous year. If this pace continues, the sector will close 2025 clearly below 2.3 million units, with a drop of close to 5% year-on-year.
The weakness of European demand was once again reflected in foreign trade. In November, 185,135 vehicles were exported, 2.1% less than a year before. In the annual accumulated, exports fall more intensely: 1,824,814 units, which represents a decrease of 8.2% compared to 2024. Europe continues to be the main destination for vehicles manufactured in Spain, but it is losing weight. In November it absorbed 91.2% of production, three percentage points less than a year before.
Faced with this decline, other markets are gaining prominence: Africa, America and Oceania increased their imported volume by 3.9%, 2.6% and 0.6%, respectively. In this scenario, Türkiye and Morocco stand out, especially, as they have offset part of the European decline. Germany continues to lead the ranking of destinations with 32,059 unitsfollowed closely by Türkiye (30,946) and France (28,639). Exports to the Turkish market soared by 68.1% compared to last year, while Morocco recorded the greatest percentage advance, with 167.6% more, until 4,102 units. In the opposite direction, Italy, Belgium and United Kingdom They diluted their demand by 40.5%, 30% and 19%, respectively.
Under this backdrop, electrification continues to gain ground in Spanish factories. In November 20,588 electrified vehicles were produced, 83.6% more than in the same month of 2024which is equivalent to almost one in ten vehicles assembled. In the accumulated year, the production of this type of vehicles grows by 10.1%, up to 210,134 units, with a share of 9.9%, 1.3 points more than a year before. If the focus is expanded to alternative vehicles – which include gas, conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles – November production amounted to 91,977 units, 30.1% more, representing 42.5% of the monthly total. Between January and November, these technologies total 825,787 units, 26.7% more than in 2024 and a share of 38.8%.
The general director of Anfac, José López-Tafall, emphasizes that November’s slight growth should be interpreted with caution. “Activity is maintained, but on a low base. The production rate is conditioned by the adaptation of factories to the new electrified models and by insufficient demand from the main European markets,” he points out. In this sense, the sector once again demands changes at the community level. López-Tafall insists that Europe must review its regulatory framework to regain competitiveness without giving up decarbonization, and defends the need to accelerate the implementation of the Spain Auto 2030 plan. “If we do not act, we run the risk of losing competitiveness as the second largest producer in the EU and ninth worldwide”he warned.
