The latest edition of ACEA's Pocket Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the European automotive industry. The sector employs 14.6 million Europeans, accounting for 6.7% of total EU employment, with 2.7 million people working in vehicle manufacturing. In 2019, 18.5 million vehicles were produced in Europe, representing 20% of global production, with 5.6 million exported worldwide, generating a €74 billion trade surplus for the EU. The industry also brings in over €440.4 billion in taxes through vehicle circulation. Innovation is a key driver, with the EU auto industry investing €60.9 billion in R&D, ahead of the global competition. The EU leads the world in patents for self-driving vehicles, responsible for a third of global applications.
