In 2022, Spain’s automotive sector posted a net profit of 767 million euros, a drop of 33 percent from the previous year’s 1.011 billion euros, according to the Annual Report from the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers known as Anfac. The figures reflect a year shaped by lingering supply chain disruptions, material shortages, and the broader consequences of geopolitical tensions, yet they also demonstrate resilience in a market undergoing a structural shift toward electrification and sustainable mobility.
That same year, Anfac members and affiliated companies generated 70.392 billion euros in revenue, up 15.8 percent from 60.908 billion euros the year before. The surge in sales activity came despite external shocks and underscores the industry’s capacity to adjust to a faster transformation pace while maintaining a robust production footprint in Spain.
Covid and the consequences of war
The organization presenting the year’s data emphasized that the numbers are conditional, given the ongoing pandemic aftershocks and the disruptions caused by the war and the microchip shortage. These factors affected both vehicle production and the pace of registrations. Nevertheless, the document suggests that expectations point toward stabilization once economic conditions improve and supply chains normalize.
Looking across the year, the report highlights more than 1.7 billion euros in investment by Anfac members, a 14.5 percent rise over the prior year. The investment reflects a clear priority on industrial transformation, particularly toward electric vehicles and sustainable mobility for brands rooted in Spain. This level of commitment reinforces the country’s role as a central hub for automotive activity in Europe.
Increase in employment
Employment in the sector reached a record high in 2022, with the workforce totaling 62,341 people in Spain. That figure marks a 1 percent rise from 61,704 in 2021, signaling steady job growth amid rapid changes in the industry and ongoing efforts to decarbonize transportation.
Wayne Griffiths, president of Anfac, described the industry’s trajectory as a deliberate move toward electrification, even as current conditions remain challenging. He stressed that the industry must lead the transition to new mobility, calling for continued acceleration of charging infrastructure and measures to make electric vehicle purchases attractive to consumers. His message centers on urgency: produce more electric passenger cars now to keep pace with Europe’s leading markets and maintain competitiveness on the continent.
Griffiths also noted the sector’s adaptability and its enduring optimism. He highlighted electrification as a major opportunity for the Spanish automotive base and urged policymakers and industry players alike to act quickly, ensuring that investment translates into measurable growth in production and employment. The overall sentiment is a belief in momentum, tempered by the need for practical action to expand charging networks and support for electric vehicle adoption.
Tax collection and public receipts
Public tax collection related to car fees and taxes reached 39.177 billion euros in 2022, rising 13.2 percent from 34.148 billion euros in 2021. The recovery in employment and continued industrial activity helped bolster government revenue while reinforcing the automotive sector’s role as a bellwether for the broader economy.
José López-Tafall, the managing director of Anfac, stated that the rebound in automotive employment remains a benchmark for both the economy and job creation. The industry contributes a notable share to gross domestic product, reinforcing its status as a major economic engine for Spain and a critical node in manufacturing and regional supply chains.
The taxation mix for 2022 shows 4.59 billion euros in fees and taxes from new vehicle purchases, up 7.8 percent compared with the previous year. Of this amount, 4.01 billion euros came from value-added tax, reflecting a 4.5 percent increase, while registration tax receipts rose by 38.4 percent to 578.9 million euros. Oil and fuel levies also climbed, with public collections for fuel consumption up 18.4 percent to 24.248 billion euros, and a marginal 0.4 percent uptick in the circulation tax to 2.973 billion euros.
Used vehicle transactions contributed 580 million euros to public coffers, marking a 4.6 percent year-on-year rise. The snapshot from 2022 thus portrays an industry that, despite global headwinds, managed to sustain revenue streams, support employment, and strengthen the state’s fiscal position through a diversified tax base linked to vehicle ownership and mobility consumption.