Prague, Czech Republic – October 19, 2023 – The Czech automotive industry is basking in the glow of remarkable growth as car production surged by 11.5% in the first three quarters of this year. Recent reports by the Association of the Automotive Industry reveal that the Czech Republic has crossed a significant milestone by producing over one million passenger cars, marking a month’s lead compared to the previous year.

The data compiled by the Association of the Automotive Industry indicates that the total production of passenger cars in the Czech Republic reached 1.018 million units. An impressive 92% of these vehicles, amounting to 939,716, were destined for international markets, showcasing the global appeal of Czech-made automobiles. Furthermore, domestic sales recorded a surge of over one-fifth in the same period.

The Czech automotive industry’s robust performance becomes all the more impressive considering the challenges it has confronted, including unprecedented floods and natural disasters that disrupted suppliers and production. Despite these adversities, the sector has showcased its resilience and capacity to adapt, delivering over a million vehicles within the first nine months of this year.

Martin Jahn, the President of the Association of the Automotive Industry, underlined that the industry’s achievement of surpassing the one-million mark a month earlier than the previous year underscores its return to pre-crisis performance levels.

Alongside the growth in traditional car production, the Czech Republic has witnessed a burgeoning electric vehicle manufacturing segment. A total of 134,324 electric cars were produced during this period, constituting 13.2% of the country’s automotive production. This includes 97,992 purely electric vehicles and 36,332 plug-in hybrid models, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to sustainable transportation and emission reduction.

Moreover, the global prominence of Czech automakers has been reinforced with Skoda Auto’s return to Kazakhstan. The country’s largest automaker, Skoda Auto, is set to assemble four models within Kazakhstan, a strategic move to meet the rising demand for their vehicles in Central Asia and solidify their position in the regional market.

In addition to Skoda Auto’s achievements, other domestic automakers have experienced notable production growth. Hyundai’s Nošovice-based plant recorded a 4.7% increase, producing 254,300 vehicles, including 31,988 purely electric cars and 21,673 plug-in hybrid vehicles. These figures constituted 21% of the overall output.

On the other hand, Kolín-based Toyota faced production reductions due to temporary shutdowns, including disruptions caused by a fire at their plastic parts supplier, Novares. Toyota manufactured 129,638 vehicles, reflecting a 17.3% decline compared to the previous year. The bus manufacturing sector observed a 5.5% decrease in production, with 3,648 vehicles produced. Meanwhile, Tatra Trucks, the sole commercial vehicle manufacturer in the Association of the Automotive Industry, saw a slight production increase, manufacturing 959 vehicles during the first three quarters of this year.

Article by Prague Forum