Slovakia lost the title of the car industry leader in Europe

Car production in Slovakia according to the results of 2009 decreased by almost 20% to the level of 2008. Such a significant drop cost Slovakia its leading position in car production in Europe. The results of 2009 gave the title of the continent's first carmaker to the neighboring Czech Republic. Czech Republic car industry in 2009 was able to produce over 900 000 vehicles. At the same time, the total number of vehicles produced in Slovakia in 2009 is accounted for slightly more than 400 000. Such data is presented in the report of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association ACEA.

Currently in Slovakia are located the plants producing cars of several world giants of the car industry. The largest car enterprise in Slovakia today is Peugeot-Citroen plant in Trnava. In 2009 it produced 207 000 cars. At the same time the plant is designed for an annual output of about 300 000 vehicles.

The second largest production plant in Slovakia is a company of the Korean car giant Kia Motors near the town of Zilina. In 2009, the production of Kia was about 150 000 cars. It should be noted that the Korean carmaker is one of the few in Europe who claims a significant increase in production. Kia Motors plans an increase in the growth of car production in Slovakia by 40% up to 210 000 cars in 2010. The Korean automaker intends to emphasize on the production of off-road vehicles.

Another key producer of cars in Slovakia is Volkswagen plant near Bratislava. In 2009, the company of the German automaker has one of the sharpest declines in production in the history of the plant in Slovakia. The number of cars built at the factory is just over 106 thousand cars. This is the worst figure since 1997. It should be noted that the Slovak company Volkswagen has been producing expensive cars. In particular, in Slovakia are produced Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 jeeps. As you know, the financial crisis struck primarily on sector of luxury cars and such a significant drop can be considered as another proof of the actual trends.

As noted by ACEA, 2009 was the most disappointing year for the European car industry. The reduction of production in Europe was 13% in comparison to 2008.