The shift toward climate-neutral electric mobility, driven by strict European CO₂ regulations, was reflected in declining turnover figures last year. For the first time since the COVID year 2020, turnover decreased in 2024 by 4 percent to €541.9 billion. Both domestic and international business saw a 4 percent drop in turnover. Nearly 70 percent of total turnover came from international business, with 29 percent of that attributed to trade with countries within the Eurozone. Turnover from customers within the Eurozone fell by 7 percent, a significantly sharper decline than the 3 percent drop in turnover from customers outside the Eurozone.

All manufacturer groups reported declining turnover. However, car and engine manufacturers were least affected, with a 3 percent decrease to €443.8 billion. These OEMs generated more than four-fifths of the total turnover from domestic production. Due to weak demand in the commercial vehicle sector, manufacturers of bodies, structures, and trailers saw a sharp 10 percent decline in turnover to €13.0 billion. Suppliers, who are particularly impacted by the transformation, recorded an 8 percent drop in turnover compared to the previous year. In total, manufacturers of parts for cars and car engines generated €85.2 billion in turnover, accounting for nearly 16 percent of the total domestic automotive production turnover.