Germany’s automotive exports saw continued growth in the first five months of 2025, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Approximately 1.5 million new cars, valued at €57.9 billion, were shipped from Germany during January to May 2025. This represents a 1.1% increase in volume and a 0.4% rise in value compared to the same period in 2024.
Automotive exports accounted for 8.8% of Germany’s total export value, a figure unchanged from the previous year. Key destinations for German-manufactured vehicles during this period included the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy, collectively receiving 32.2% of total exports. The UK took 183,000 vehicles (12.4%), followed by the US with 181,000 (12.3%) and Italy with 111,000 (7.5%).
Vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) remain the dominant powertrain type for German exports, accounting for 52.1% of new car shipments. Electric vehicles (EVs) represent 28.3% and hybrid vehicles comprise 19.6%. While ICE vehicle exports declined to 767,000 (-11.1%), EV exports surged to 416,000 (+25.3%) and hybrid vehicle exports increased to 289,000 (+10.7%). This trend is even more pronounced when considering export value, with ICE vehicles experiencing a 17.0% decrease, EVs showing a 27.2% increase and hybrid vehicles rising by 20.6%.
Exports to the United States, a significant market for German automotive manufacturers, experienced a slight decrease: 1.9% in volume and 3.2% in value, totaling 181,000 vehicles worth €8.8 billion. ICE vehicles dominated exports to the US, accounting for 56.4% (102,000 vehicles), while EVs represented 25.7% (47,000) and hybrids comprised 17.9% (32,000). ICE vehicle shipments to the US declined by 11.8%, while hybrid exports showed a notable increase (+36.3%). EV exports to the US saw a modest increase (+3.2%).
Data for the first three months of 2025 revealed a 14.7% increase in vehicle exports to the US compared to the previous year. However, April and May 2025 registered a combined 23.5% decrease in exports to the US compared to the same period in 2024.
Germany imported approximately 741,000 new vehicles, valued at €21.1 billion, during January to May 2025. This represents a 5.7% decrease in volume and a 3.5% decline in value compared to the previous year. Spain was the leading source of imported vehicles (14.5%, or 107,000 vehicles), followed by the Czech Republic (13.6%, or 101,000 vehicles) and Slovakia (11.0%, or 82,000 vehicles). Imports from China reached 45,000 vehicles, representing a 6.1% share of total imports and marking an 11.6% decrease compared to the prior year, but elevating China to the fourth-largest source of imported vehicles. Vehicle imports from the United States fell considerably to 40,000 (5.3%), dropping the US to fifth place.
ICE vehicles continued their dominance in imported vehicles, with 57.3% of vehicles featuring this powertrain. Hybrids followed with 26.7% and EVs comprised 16.0% of total imports.