Lisbon, June 17, 2026 (Lusa) - Car production in Portugal rose by 3.3% between January and May compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 149,828 vehicles, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Portuguese Automobile Association (ACAP).

In May, 33,476 motor vehicles were produced, representing a fall of 8.3% compared with the same month last year.

Of the total number of vehicles produced in the first five months, 120,606 were passenger cars, 6.7% more than a year earlier, and 27,942 were light commercial vehicles, representing a year-on-year fall of 8.8%.

Production of heavy goods vehicles fell by 4.1% year-on-year between January and May, totalling 1,280 vehicles.

In May, production of passenger cars fell by 5.6% to 27,742, whilst that of light goods vehicles fell by 22.7% to 5,315 units. Conversely, production of heavy goods vehicles rose by 61.2% to 419.

ACAP noted that the sector remains a key component of Portugal’s trade balance, given that “98% of vehicles manufactured in Portugal are destined for the export market”.

Europe remains the leading export market, accounting for 93.3% of domestic production, with Germany (21.7%), Turkey (12.6%), Italy (12.3%), France (11.7%) and Spain (10.7%) being the main destinations.

As for vehicle assembly, between January and May, 109 heavy vehicles – all passenger vehicles – were assembled, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.2%, according to ACAP.

In May alone, 21 heavy vehicles were assembled, representing a fall of 22.2% compared with the same month in 2025.

The motoring association reported that in the first five months of the year, 88.1% of the assembled vehicles were exported, totalling 96 units, with Germany (79.2%) and England (20.8%) being the sole destinations for these sales.

CT/AYLS // AYLS

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