Exports of automotive parts accentuate drop to 5.8% in 2021 H1 versus 2019

Exports of automotive parts fell 12.6% in September compared to the same month of 2019, to €753 million, resulting in an accumulated drop of 5.8% since the beginning of the year, the Portuguese Manufacturers Association for the Automotive Industry (AFIA) reported this Wednesday.

“Once again, and analysing foreign sales in the first nine months of the year, it can be seen that only during the months of February and March were the exports above the level seen in 2019,” that is, the period before the covid-19 pandemic, the Association said in a statement.

According to the association, in the first half of 2021, exports of automotive parts reached €6,809 million, which is reflected in a 5.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2019.

Portugal’s main export markets from January to September 2021, when compared to the same period in 2019, were Spain, with sales of €1,958 million (+3.3%), Germany, €1,394 million (-9.4%), and France, €809 million (-21,3%).

AFIA also stated that “the lack of chips and electronic components remains, all over the world, as one of the main problems in the supply chains, since they lead automotive manufacturers to temporarily interrupt their operations.”

The scarcity of raw materials, Covid-19 and ‘Brexit’ are also pointed out as causes for the losses seen in the sector.