Motor vehicle seats market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish market for motor vehicle seats between 2018 and 2024 evolved under the strong influence of the automotive industry's transition to electric and hybrid vehicles. This shift created sustained demand for lighter, more comfortable seats utilizing sustainable materials, with major suppliers like Toyota Boshoku and Faurecia continuously investing in advanced features such as electrically adjustable and climate-controlled systems. Concurrently, EU regulatory initiatives on vehicle safety and emissions consistently pushed innovation in seat design and material composition, setting the stage for market developments in the following years.

Measured in value, the market volume experienced notable changes from 2020 to 2024. Following the industry-wide supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the market value grew to $699.9 million in 2021. This expansion was supported by strategic industry moves, including the formation of new joint ventures like the one between Brose and Volkswagen focused on seat production for e-mobility, and regulatory demands for enhanced safety features such as integrated side airbags. After a contraction to $584.6 million in 2022, growth resumed, reaching $639.7 million in 2023, propelled by the expanding electric vehicle segment and collaborations between major players like Lear Corporation and General Motors to integrate advanced thermal comfort technologies. The market continued its upward trajectory to $681.6 million in 2024, driven by investments in electric and autonomous vehicles that required new seat configurations and the development of fossil-free, lightweight materials.

Consumer preferences throughout this period increasingly leaned towards personalized, smart seating solutions with features like massage functions and IoT integration for monitoring. Swedish and European state-owned enterprises and large industrial partners played a significant role in fostering domestic innovation and production capacity. Furthermore, the EU's regulatory push towards a circular economy encouraged the adoption of recycled and bio-based materials in seat manufacturing, adding another layer of transformation to the market.

Production motor vehicle seats in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports motor vehicle seats from Sweden

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2019, Sweden's exports of foreign motor vehicle seats reached their lowest point at 71.6 thousand units. However, in 2020, supplies increased by 5.4% to 75.4 thousand units. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 12.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.5%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 110.9 thousand units, which represented a 28.2% increase from the previous year. Conversely, the sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 35.4% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Sweden's motor vehicle seat exports in kind were Finland, Belgium, and Germany. Finland accounted for 21.1% of exports, Belgium for 20.2%, and Germany for 14.8%. Together, these three countries made up 56.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's cross-border shipments of motor vehicle seats in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 20 866 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 35.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 881 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 5.0% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 34.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Finland, Belgium, and Germany remained the three largest markets for Sweden's motor vehicle seat exports in value terms. Collectively, they accounted for 56.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports motor vehicle seats to Sweden

Imports in kind, K unit

Sweden's imports of motor vehicle seats in kind showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 1.6 thousand units, representing a 99.4% decline from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports surged to 133.8 thousand units, an increase of 8,076.1% compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 253.6 thousand units, resulting in a 155-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Poland, and Germany were the leading sources for Sweden's motor vehicle seat imports in kind. Belgium contributed 39.2% of imports, Poland 27.0%, and Germany 11.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's imports of motor vehicle seats in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume stood at 39 552 thousand US dollars, a 20.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.3%, with an average annual decline of 10.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 62 884 thousand US dollars, which was a 15.5% increase from 2017. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 21.4% decline.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Poland, and Germany continued to be the primary suppliers of motor vehicle seats to Sweden in value terms. Belgium accounted for 38.6% of imports, Poland for 30.0%, and Germany for 11.2%. Collectively, they formed 79.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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