In the first half of 2022, the Spanish auto sector reported a trade surplus of 3,097.4 million euros, according to data from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. This figure marks a drop of 24.6 percent from the same period a year earlier. Imports reached 18,593.9 million euros, up 6.1 percent, while exports stood at 21,691.3 million euros, up just 0.2 percent.
The accounting for motorcycles showed another side of the industry, with the total rising to 6,912.7 million euros, yet reflecting a 14 percent decrease versus the prior year. At the same time, the Spanish components sector finished the first half with a trade deficit of 3,815.3 million euros, a reduction of 2.8 percent from the previous year.
Less production and export
The downturn in the automotive trade balance comes amid the chip shortage and broader global economic uncertainty, which have slowed production and, consequently, exports at Spanish plants. Incoming data from Anfac indicates that the sector produced 1,135,087 vehicles in Spain by June, down 5.8 percent from the prior year, while exports totaled 955,363 vehicles, a decline of 7.7 percent. These figures point to a tightening market and tighter margins for manufacturers across the country.
The month of June also reflected a softer performance, with a trade balance of 474.9 million euros, a notable drop of 36.7 percent compared with June of the previous year. In June, exports reached 3,970.9 million euros, up 9.9 percent, while imports rose to 3,496 million euros, up 22.1 percent. The evolving mix of demand and supply signals continues to shape the sector through midyear, influencing investment decisions and production planning across factories.
Within the motorcycle segment, June delivered positive news on the balance of trade, posting 1,269.1 million euros, which represented a 10.5 percent decrease year over year. The components market finished the sixth month with a larger negative impact, even as the open trade showed solid movement, reaching 794.3 million euros, up 19 percent from the previous period. The overall pattern across the first half of the year shows a cautious recovery in certain niches while other segments face continued pressure from supply constraints and shifting consumer demand.