Spanish car production rose 4% to 2.89m units in 2007, helped by a strong European market, but output this year is expected to slow 1%-2%, local manufacturers federation Anfac said.
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Passenger car output increased 5.6% to 2.19m units while commercial vehicle production fell 0.6% to 580,000 units. Anfac said 82% of Spanish production was exported, with France, Italy and the UK importing the most.
Anfac said Europe’s “stable” car market would help drive a production increase in 2008 though this would be lower at 1%-2%. Industry observers said Europe’s volatile economic environment could hurt consumer spending on big-ticket items like cars.
In Spain, dealer groups are mixed about this year’s outlook with some predicting a sales increase of 2% and others a decline of 3%.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen led Spanish automakers last year as its Vigo factory boosted output 20% to 547,082 units. Renault posted a 31% rise at its largest plant, Valladolid, which churned out 104,465 units.
On the other hand, Ford production at Valencia fell 0.37% to 418,983 units while Volkswagen made 2.45% fewer cars in Navarra. Seat saw a 2.35% fall in Martorell to 398,704 units.
Ivan Castano
