Portugal’s auto industry saw a strong rebound in May, with 36,524 vehicles produced, marking a 35% increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to figures from ACAP (Portuguese Automobile Trade Association).
Despite this surge, overall production for the first five months of 2025 still lags behind last year, totaling 144,996 vehicles, a 5.5% drop year-on-year. ACAP highlights that 97.4% of all vehicles made in Portugal are destined for export, reinforcing the sector’s key role in the national trade balance.
Europe remains the top export destination, absorbing 87.8% of Portugal’s car output. Leading markets include Germany (20.1%), Italy (12%), France (11%), Turkey (10.6%), and Spain (9.7%). The Americas, led by Chile, accounted for 3.5%, while Africa received 3% of exports.
In contrast, the heavy vehicle segment continues to struggle, with only 27 units assembled in May, down 10% from last year. Between January and May, just 93 heavy vehicles were assembled—29% less than in 2024. Nearly all of these (98.9%) were exported, mainly to Germany (89.1%) and the UK (10.9%).
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