Lisbon, June 18, 2025 (Lusa) - The production and assembly of motor vehicles fell by 5.5% between January–May, year-on-year, with 144,996 vehicles leaving factories in Portugal, but in May there was a 35% increase, the Automobile Association, ACAP, said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Portuguese Automobile Association (ACAP) highlighted that “in cumulative terms, in the five months of 2025, 144,996 vehicles left factories in Portugal, i.e. 5.5% less than in the same period last year”.

In May, 36,524 motor vehicles were produced in Portugal, which "represented a growth of 35% compared to the same month in 2024", it said.

According to ACAP data, in the first five months of the year, 113,030 light passenger vehicles were produced in Portugal, 9.6% less than in the same period last year, while in May 29,390 were produced, 39.6% more.

As for light goods vehicles, 30,631 vehicles were produced up to May (an increase of 16.5%) and 6,874 in the fifth month of the year (an increase of 20.3%).

According to ACAP, “Europe remains the leading market for exports of vehicles manufactured in Portugal - with 87.8% - with Germany (20.1%), Italy (12.0%), France (11.0%), Turkey (10.6%) and Spain (9.7%) at the top of the ranking”.

On the other hand, the American market, “led by Chile (3.0%), ranks second in exports of cars manufactured in Portugal with 3.4% of exports. Africa ranks third with 3% of exports of motor vehicles manufactured in Portugal”.

As for heavy vehicle assembly, in the first five months of 2025, "there was a 29% drop compared to the same period last year, representing 93 vehicles assembled in 2025", with "only heavy passenger vehicles being assembled" during this period.

ALN/AYLS // AYLS

Lusa