ZAP: Car Output in Slovakia Down to 993,000 Last Year

Bratislava, January 16 (TASR) - According to preliminary results, Slovakia produced 993,000 cars in 2024, a decrease of almost 87,000 vehicles year-on-year, Slovak Automotive Industry Association (ZAP) president Alexander Matusek reported at ZAP's annual press conference on Thursday, adding that the estimates for 2025 indicate that overall production should grow again to reach 1.15 million vehicles. Despite the drop, Slovakia remains the world leader in terms of car output per capita. ZAP representatives at a news conference pointed out that the automotive industry faces many challenges, not only in Slovakia, but throughout Europe. The car market has seen a decline in production and registrations due to falling demand, and there are concerns over customs tariffs that might be introduced by the USA and China. Insufficiently developed charging infrastructure also appears to be a problem. There's no unified strategy for developing industry at the level of the European Union, inflation and the costs of compensating for it are increasing, energy prices for industry are high, and self-sufficiency in the field of raw materials and semiconductors is insufficient, stated ZAP representatives. "All these factors have a negative effect on the competitiveness and development of Slovakia's industry, including the automotive one. We need a constructive dialogue with the government and a solution to our demands all the more," stressed Matusek. If the transformation of production to electromobility is to be maintained, the state must create framework conditions for investors, with a clear and stable foreign-political orientation. Another priority for the automotive industry is to prevent further growth in production costs, stated ZAP. However, the government failed to meet most of the association's demands for support for the automotive sector last year, stated Matusek. "We need to launch a dialogue with the government and start seeking solutions within the priorities of the automotive industry very seriously, as we are the least attractive country when compared to neighbouring states in all the aforementioned areas," he said. ZAP pointed out that Slovakia is also lagging behind in terms of developing electromobility. ko/df