The automotive industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the world. Every year, millions of vehicles are produced by manufacturers all over the globe. In 2021, there are several countries that are leading the way in motor vehicle production. Here are the top 10 countries in motor vehicle production 2021 according to the latest data:
10. Thailand
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Thailand: 1.68 Million
In 2021, Thailand produced a total of 1.68 million motor vehicles. This will be a slight decrease from the 2.9 million vehicles produced in 2020, but still an impressive number considering the country’s relatively small population. The vast majority of these vehicles will be passenger cars, with commercial vehicles accounting for only a small fraction of total production.
As one of the leading exporters of motor vehicles in the world, Thailand plays an important role in the global automotive industry. In recent years, the country has been able to attract a large number of foreign manufacturers to set up production facilities within its borders, thanks to its competitive cost advantage and skilled workforce. Some of the most notable names in the automotive industry that have operations in Thailand include Ford, GM, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota.
The Thai government has been supportive of the country’s burgeoning automotive industry and has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to promote its growth. One such measure is the so-called “car production promotion policy”, which offers a range of financial incentives to companies that invest in local vehicle production. As a result of this policy, Thailand has become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign automakers looking to expand their operations in Southeast Asia.
9. Spain
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Spain: 2.09 Million
Spain is one of the top countries in motor vehicle production, with a total of 2.09 Million vehicles produced in 2021. This includes cars, vans, trucks, and buses. Spain has a long history of car production, dating back to 1898 when the first Spanish car was built.
Today, Spain is home to some of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, including SEAT, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, PSA Group, and Volkswagen Group. These companies have assembly plants located across Spain, ensuring that vehicle production is distributed throughout the country.
Spain’s advantageous location means that it can serve as a gateway for European car manufacturers to enter the South American market. Additionally, Spain benefits from having a highly skilled workforce and access to quality components and materials.
All of these factors make Spain an ideal location for motor vehicle production. In 2021, Spain is expected to produce 2.4 million vehicles, making it one of the top countries in terms of vehicle production.
8. Brazil
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Brazil: 2.24 Million
Brazil produced 2.24 Million motor vehicles in 2021, ranking eighth in the world. Passenger car production increased by 1.4% to 3,525,000

units, while commercial vehicle output decreased by 5.1% to 346,000 units. The top five countries in motor vehicle production in 2021 were China (27,547,000 units), the United States (11,046,000 units), Japan (9,365,000 units), and India (3,674,000 units).
7. Mexico
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Mexico: 3.14 Million
In 2021, Mexico produced 3.14 million motor vehicles. This would make it the fifth largest producer of motor vehicles in the world, behind China, the United States, Japan, and Germany. Mexico’s motor vehicle production is concentrated in the state of Guanajuato, where there are assembly plants for a number of major international automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Honda, and Toyota.
6. Germany
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Germany: 3.30 Million
In 2021, Germany produced around 3.3 million motor vehicles. This would make it the fourth largest producer of motor vehicles in the world, behind China, the United States, and Japan.
German car companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW are some of the most well-known and respected brands in the automotive industry. These companies have production facilities all over the country, and their vehicles are sold in markets all over the world.
The German automotive industry is an important part of the country’s economy, and it employs a large number of people. In 2021, it is expected that around 800,000 people will be employed in the sector.
5. South Korea
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in South Korea: 3.46 Million
According to a report from OICA, South Korea became the fifth largest producer of motor vehicles in the world in 2021. The country produced a total of 4.85 million vehicles in 2020, which was a decrease of 2.8% from 2019.
The majority of vehicles produced in South Korea are passenger cars, although the country also has a significant commercial vehicle sector. In 2020, passenger car production decreased by 3.1% to 4.47 million units, while commercial vehicle production fell by 1.4% to 378 thousand units.
Looking ahead to 2021, both passenger car and commercial vehicle production are forecast to increase, albeit at different rates. Passenger car production is expected to grow by 1.6% to 4.54 million units, while commercial vehicle output is predicted to rise by 5.7% to 400 thousand units.
4. India
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in India: 4.39 Million
In 2021, India produced a total of 4.39 million motor vehicles. This includes 4.2 million passenger cars and 1.6 million commercial vehicles. India is currently the fourth largest producer of motor vehicles in the world, behind China, the United States, and Japan.
The Indian automotive industry is expected to grow significantly in the next few years. In 2020, the industry produced a total of 4.3 million vehicles, which was a 9% increase from 2019. The industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-10% between 2020 and 2025.
The growing demand for motor vehicles in India is being driven by a number of factors, including economic growth, an increasing population, and a growing middle class. According to estimates, there are currently around 60 million middle class households in India, which is expected to grow to approximately 300 million by 2025. This growing middle class is increasingly demanding better quality products and services, including automobiles.
In addition to the growing domestic market, India’s automotive industry is also benefiting from exports. In 2020, the industry exported a total of 1.4 million vehicles, which was a 14% increase from 2019. The main markets for Indian vehicle exports are Africa and Latin America.
3. Japan
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in Japan: 7.84 Million
Japan is one of the top countries in motor vehicle production. In 2021, Japan manufactured 7.84 million vehicles. This would be a slight decrease from the 10 million vehicles produced in 2020, but still an impressive output.
The majority of Japanese vehicle production takes place in the country’s three major automotive hubs: the Tokyo-Yokohama area, the Nagoya area, and the Keihanshin area. These areas are home to many of Japan’s largest and most well-known automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda.
Japanese automakers have long been known for their quality and reliability, and this reputation has helped them gain a significant share of the global market. In recent years, however, Japanese companies have faced increased competition from South Korean and Chinese automakers.
Despite these challenges, Japanese automakers are expected to continue to be leaders in vehicle production in 2021. They are likely to maintain their position as one of the top three producers in the world, behind only China and the United States.
2. USA
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in USA: 9.16 Million
As of 2021, the United States is the second largest producer of motor vehicles in the world, behind only China. In 2021, an estimated 9.16 million passenger cars and light trucks were produced in the United States, down slightly from the 13.2 million units produced in 2020. The decrease is due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing pandemic and declining consumer demand.
Despite the decrease in production, the United States remains a major force in the global automotive market. Major automakers with production facilities in the United States include General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Tesla, and Toyota. These companies have plants located across the country, employing thousands of workers.
The United States has also been a leader in electric vehicle production. Tesla is the largest producer of electric vehicles in the world, and its factory in Fremont, California is one of the most advanced auto manufacturing facilities in existence. Other major automakers are also investing heavily in electric vehicle production, and it is expected that EVs will make up a significant portion of total vehicle sales in the coming years.
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1. China
Total Motor Vehicle Production in 2021 in China: 26.08 Million
In 2021, China produced around 26.08 million motor vehicles. This would make China the largest producer of motor vehicles in the world, ahead of the United States (which is expected to produce around 12 million vehicles in 2021) and Japan (which is expected to produce around 9 million vehicles in 2021).
China has been the largest producer of motor vehicles in the world for a number of years, and this is largely due to the fact that there are many large and well-established car companies based in China. These include companies such as Geely, Chery, BYD, Great Wall, and FAW.
The Chinese car market is also very large and growing rapidly. In 2020, around 25 million passenger cars were sold in China (compared to around 17 million in the United States). This strong demand for cars in China has helped to drive up production levels.
It should be noted that Chinese car companies have been increasingly moving production facilities overseas in recent years, so it is possible that China’s share of global vehicle production will start to decline in the future.
Source: Motor Vehicle Production 2021
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