Motor vehicle lighting market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish motor vehicle lighting market volume stood at 12 147 t in 2018. It experienced a moderate decline to 11 706 t in 2019 and a sharper drop to 9 517 t in 2020, primarily due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The market rebounded strongly to 14 923 t in 2021, fueled by the entry of new players through strategic alliances such as the partnership between Motherson and Valeo, and regulatory changes that made it easier to install homologated LED lights in vehicles with halogen headlights. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 18 893 t, as national automotive production rose to 2.22 million units, boosting demand for original equipment lighting.

Further expansion occurred in 2023 and 2024, with the market volume climbing to 21 147 t and then 23 553 t. This sustained growth was supported by ongoing automotive production expansion and the implementation of new safety regulations, including the European UN ECE R148 standard for adaptive driving beams and the upcoming mandatory V16 connected emergency lights, which accelerated adoption of advanced lighting systems.

Production motor vehicle lighting in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's motor vehicle lighting production has now declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 156.6 million US dollars, marking a significant 39.6% drop compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.3%. The peak was reached in 2018, when production hit 291.8 million US dollars, representing a 9.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Spain's motor vehicle lighting production has decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5,601 tonnes, which is a 41.4% decline compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 70.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -33.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports motor vehicle lighting from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Exports of motor vehicle lighting from Spain have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 21,098 tonnes, down 6.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 23,503 tonnes, which was a 3.1% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, the United Kingdom, and Portugal—collectively accounted for 76.0% of Spain's total motor vehicle lighting exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's motor vehicle lighting exports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export value stood at 639.7 million US dollars, a 10.0% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 21.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Portugal were the leading destinations for Spain's motor vehicle lighting exports by value. Germany alone accounted for 63.3% of the total, followed by the United Kingdom at 7.9% and Portugal at 6.4%. Together, these three markets made up 77.5% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports motor vehicle lighting to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Imports of motor vehicle lighting into Spain have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 25,014 tonnes, a slight 0.9% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 24,323 tonnes, which marked a 3.4% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with imports growing by 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the sources of Spain's motor vehicle lighting imports by volume were quite diverse. Slovakia led with 22.1% of imports, followed by Morocco at 15.4% and France at 12.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 49.8% of total imports, with no single partner dominating the market.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Spain's motor vehicle lighting imports have rebounded. In 2020, the import value rose to 541.0 million US dollars, a 7.4% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 503.6 million US dollars, which represented a 1.9% decrease from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's motor vehicle lighting imports by value came from a wide range of partners. Slovakia was the top source, accounting for 21.2% of imports, followed by Morocco at 10.6% and Germany at 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 41.3% of total import flows, indicating a broad and varied supplier base.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020