In September 2025, Portugal recorded a significant increase of 22.6% in the production of motor vehicles, totaling 36,666 vehicles produced compared to the same month of the previous year.
In the first nine months of the year, the accumulated production reached 257,359 units, representing a growth of 7.4% in relation to 2024.
The data, provided by ACAP – Associação Automóvel de Portugal, reveals that the production of passenger cars saw the biggest increase, with 29,118 units, a growth of 26.4%. The production of light goods also grew, although more modestly, with 7,241 units (5.9%). Heavy vehicles stood out with an impressive increase of 631%, totaling 307 units.
The importance of exports for the automotive sector is evident, as 97.8% of vehicles manufactured in Portugal are destined for the foreign marketcontributing positively to the country’s trade balance. Europe continues to be the main market, absorbing 86.8% of exports, with emphasis on Germany (21.0%), Italy (11.4%), Turkey (10.8%) and France (9.9%).
On the other hand, the assembly of heavy vehicles in Portugal recorded a decrease of 10.7% in September, with only 25 units assembled. In the first nine months of 2025, the assembly of heavy vehicles fell 20.7%totaling 180 vehicles.
Even so, 91.7% of vehicles assembled in this period were exportedwith Germany (85.5%) and England (14.5%) being the main destinations.