South Korea Places Fifth in Passenger Car Production in 2019

South Korea was ranked fifth in passenger car production in 1999 after Japan, the United States, Germany and France. It jumped to fourth place in 2009 and, a decade later, it moved back to fifth place in 2019.

China topped the list in 2009, followed by Japan and Germany. In 1999, China even did not make the top 10. But 10 years later, in 2009, it took the first spot. Since then, it has been keeping it.

There is a wide gap between first-ranked China and the runner-up. China produces an average of 21.4 million passenger cars per year, while second-ranked Japan rolls out 8.3 million units. For the past two decades, Germany has remained firmly in third place, producing 4.7 million units on average annually.

China's production volume has been in a steep uptrend amid globalization of the auto industry. For example, German manufacturers such as Volkswagen are steadily increasing their car production in China.

In 2019, 39 percent of Volkswagen vehicles were sold in China. Daimler and BMW are also increasingly turning their eyes to China. For example, electric car versions of the Mini and Smart series will be produced jointly in China. German carmakers have begun joint production with Chinese firms, promising technology transfers.