Automotive Trade Balance 2004
In 2004, 55 % of goods exported by the German automotive industry went to the "old" EU countries, while 8 % went to the new EU member states, 16 % to the USA, Mexico and Canada (NAFTA), and a good 9 % to Asia. Of automotive imports into Germany, 58 % originated in Western Europe and 22 % in Eastern Europe. The USA, Canada and Mexico accounted for a total of 7 % of German imports, with Asia providing 8.2 %.
An analysis by region of the automotive imports into and exports from Germany reveals the key role played by the Western European markets for the success of exports by German vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. They exported goods with a value of around EUR 80.1 bn, with 7 % growth compared to the year 2003, so they have made the most important contribution to the export success of the German automotive industry. At the same time, the rise in imports (EUR 38.2 bn; +5 %) more than compensated for the increase in exports. In contrast to this, Germany has a trade deficit with the new EU member states. In 2004 exports totaled EUR 11.8 bn, but exports of finished vehicles - and above all of prefabricated automotive units - amounted to almost EUR 14.5 bn. This balance rose by 18 % in 2004, which demonstrates the increasing importance of Central and Eastern Europe as a production location for the German automotive industry.
By contrast there was a clear positive trade balance with all other regions. While a trade surplus of EUR 18.8 bn (exports of EUR 23.3 bn; imports of EUR 4.5 bn) was achieved with the USA, Mexico and Canada (NAFTA) in 2004, the surplus earned in business with Asia in 2004 came to EUR 8.2 bn (exports EUR 13.6 bn; imports of EUR 5.4 bn). Taking all the other countries of the world together, in 2004 there was a surplus of EUR 14.5 bn (exports of EUR 17.3 bn; imports of EUR 2.8 bn). In total, the German automotive industry drove up its exports in the year 2004 by a good 4 %. The export surplus climbed by the same order of magnitude, to about EUR 80 bn.
