The business climate in Germany’s auto industry continued to improve in February. The Ifo business climate indicator rose to -15.6 from -19.1 in January, showing that firms assessed their current situation more positively than the month before, even as expectations for the near‑future edged downwards.
Anita Wölfl, an Ifo industry specialist, explained that demand from the EU-especially for electric vehicles-remains a supportive force for the German automotive sector.
Production orders are filling up again, and companies anticipate better sales overseas in the coming months. Export expectations climbed to 10.8 points from 8.5 in January, largely thanks to the growing popularity of E‑cars.
“By 1 January 2026, the number of electric passenger cars (BEVs) registered in Germany surpassed two million for the first time” noted Wölfl, citing the latest headcount from the Federal Motor Transport Authority.
Export data from the trade statistics office show that the German auto industry generated more than €40 billion through global sales of electric cars in 2025-a 6.5 % increase over 2024. Over half of those exports were destined for other EU countries, with the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Denmark taking the largest shares.