Global auto production, including cars and commercial vehicles, declined by 16pc to approximately 77mn units in 2020 compared to the previous year. The production level has stooped down to 2010 levels, as the pandemic raged across the world, said international car maker association, International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) on March 25.
European markets witnessed a drop of 21pc. Production in North America fell by 20pc and South America by 30pc compared to the previous year. Production in Asia, which accounts for almost 50pc of the worldwide production, contracted less severely and only by 10pc.
Indonesia reported the highest decline in production, down 46pc compared to the prior year to 691,286 units. The top three countries that reported a decline are Indonesia, followed by Austria at 104,544 units produced and France’s production declined 39pc to 1.31mn units.
India’s production in 2020 declined 25pc to 3.39mn units. Production in the US was reported 19pc lower at 8.8mn units. Japan’s production fell by 17pc to 8mn units. Production in Russia dipped 17pc to 1.4mn units, while that in Turkey slipped 11pc to 1.29mn units. South Korea reported a drop of 11pc to 3.5mn units.
China’s production contracted by 2pc to 25mn units. Production in Iran was reported at 880,997 units, up 7pc. Egypt and Kazakhstan’s production grew in 2020 over last year, but production units were below 50,000 units. Uzbekistan too produced more in 2020 compared to 2019 at 280,080 units, up 3pc from 2019.
Global sales
Global sales in 2020 declined by 14pc to 77.69mn units from 2019. Passenger car sales declined 16pc to 53mn units, and production in the commercial vehicles segment dipped 10pc to 24mn units.