Automobile IndustryInternationalization > Internationalization of production by the automobile manufacturers

Production shares of the automobile manufacturers 2000 - 2016

Automaker's new three trends in internationalizing of their worldwide automobile production

The ten worldwide largest automobile countries.

Update June 4th, 2018 - There are above all three new trends with the ten largest automakers in internationalizing their production. In comparison to the last sixteen years from 2000 to 2016 these trends show up clearly and distinctively.1


Since 2018, the OICA no longer publishes data on the production locations of automotive manufacturers.


The first trend indicates a level of internationalization that six out of the ten largest automakers are more producing in other countries different from their homeland.

  • VOLKSWAGEN, on rank 2, produces more cars in China (38%) than in Germany (27%)

  • Hyundai on rank 3 manufacturers more cars in China, the US, India, Brazil and Mexico than in its homeland South Korea.

  • GM, rank 4, manufactures more cars in China and Mexico than in the US

  • Ford on rank 5 produces significantly more cars in China, Germany, India, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Canada than in the US

    • Nissan, number 6, produces more cars in each case in China and the US than in its homeland Japan

    • Honda, on rank 7, lets manufacturer more cars in the USA than in Japan.

    The second trend consists of the mutual penetration of the markets. While GM produces more cars in China and Mexico than in the US, at the same time the US has become one of the most important production locations for Honda and Nissan even ahead of Japan.


    Finally as third trend the weakened competitive position of the US manufacturers GM and Ford has become apparent. Their world market shares has clearly been reduced and their production shares within the ten largest automobile countries are relatively slim. This trend contributes to the aggressive foreign and trade policy of the Trump government.

    Toyota - production shares of international production locations doubled, in China relatively small position

    In its homeland Japan production shares of Toyota dropped from 70% to 40%. Toyota's internationalization particularly shows up in production shares related to ten largest largest automobile countries that almost doubled from 18% to 35%.


    The production shares in other countries increased more than twice from 11% to 26%. Among these other countries not belonging to the ten largest ones, largest shares have Thailand (5%), Indonesia (4%) and France (2%).


    The production share in China remains with 11% relatively low due to political tensions between both countries.

    Worldwide productions shares of Toyota from 2000 to 2016.

    VOLKSWAGEN - highest production share in China, other international production locations with decreasing shares

    VOLKSWAGEN started very early in China with a production share of 6.2% in 2000, a value no competitor could meet that time. Sixteen years later this production shares has been more than sextupled to 38% lying now over that of Germany.


    China has become for VOLKSWAGEN the most important market also in regard to sinking production portions in Brazil, Mexico and Spain.

    Worldwide productions shares of VW from 2000 to 2016.

    Hyundai - internationalization in 2000 still at zero, in 2016 worldwide third largest internationalized automaker

    In 2000 Hyundai produced all cars still in South Korea and was on rank 11 among the largest automakers. In 2016 Hyundai has doubled its world market share to 8.3%, ousted GM to rank four and has consequently been internationalizing its production in the last sixteen years.


    During this time the production share in its homeland South Korea dropped from 100% to 41% and put China at top of its internationalized production locations.

    Worldwide productions shares of Hyundai from 2000 to 2016.

    GM - weakened competitive position constraining internationalization

    In 2000 GM still produced over half of its motor vehicles in the USA and in China no single car. Sixteen years later one quarter of its car production is rolling from the assembly belts in China


    The internationalization of GM's production locations documents a weakened position in competition. Sixteen years ago the worldwide number one, GM is now on rank four with a world market share reduzed by 40%.


    Production shares have increased in China, South Korea and Mexico, decreased in Germany and Canada and stagnated in Spain and Brazil.


    Cramped sales markets like in Brazil and intensified competition from mainly Asian competitors set boundaries to GM.

    Worldwide productions shares of GM from 2000 to 2016.

    Ford – comprehensive internationalized but with relatively small production shares

    Also Ford lost half of its world market share (from 12.5% to 6.8%) during the last sixteen years and changed from rank two to rank five. This weakened competitive position is reflected by its international production shares, on the one hand worldwide spread but on the other hand relatively low.


    Production shares could be increased In the ten largest automobile countries, exception forms only Canada. In the USA production share plunged from 52% to 38%. China has become the most important international market also for Ford.


    Among „Others“ the largest production portions hold Turkey (5%) and Thailand (5%).

    Worldwide productions shares of Ford from 2000 to 2016.

    Nissan - intensified internationalization lets produce more cars each in China and the US than in Japan

    Nissan still produced over half of its automobiles in Japan in 2000. An intensified internationalization of the production locations forced the production share in Japan down to a sixth, while at the same time more Nissan cars were produced each in China and the US.


    Nissan improved its world market position from rank eight to six and its world market share by 30% from 4.5% to 5.9%.


    Among „Others“ belong mainly Great Britain (9%) and Thailand (2%).

    Worldwide productions shares of Nissan from 2000 to 2016.

    Honda - producing half of its automobiles in China and the US

    Also Honda produced in 2000 still half of its automobiles in Japan but already one quarter in the US. Since then the production portion in its homeland slipped to a sixth.


    Honda is producing half of its automobiles both in the US (26%) and China (24%). Production shares increased in India, Brazil and Mexico, stagnated in Canada.  


    Among „other countries“ dominate "overseas" (10%) and Great Britain (neary 3%).

    Worldwide productions shares of Honda from 2000 to 2016.

    Fiat - internationalization with emphases

    Before its association with Chrysler, Fiat produced at 78% in „other countries“. That concerned above all Italy (60%), Poland (11%) and Turkey (4%). The production share of Italy fell on 12% by 2014.


    „Other countries“ comprise mainly Italy (21%), Turkey (6%) and Poland (6%).


    The association with Chrysler led to a production portion of 32% in the USA in 2016. The production share in China is with 2% the lowest one of all ten leading automakers.


    Two further emphases of internationalization of production are Mexico and Canada.

    Worldwide productions shares of Fiat from 2000 to 2016.
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    Renault - two thirds of cars at international production sites outside of the ten largest car countries

    Renault produces two thirds of its cars in "other countries" outside of the ten largest automobile countries. France (22%), Marocco (10%), Turkey (10%) and Romania are mainly concerned.

    Worldwide productions shares of Renault from 2000 to 2016.

    PSA - one third of production in France and a third internationalized in "other countries"

    PSA, which consists of Peugeot and Citroen in 2016, internationalized its production within the ten largest automobile countries to China, Brazil and Spain.


    PSA manufacturers in France, its homeland, 32% of its cars. Further "other countries" concern Slovakia (10%) and Iran (7%).

    Worldwide productions shares of PSA from 2000 to 2016.

    1 Briefly to the method of the following diagrams: If there is no production in one of the ten countries, the related countries are compressed under „Others“. All production shares collected result in 100% of the production of the manufacturer concerned.