Safety seat belts market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the German safety seat belts market volume grew from 100.1 million units to a peak of 121.8 million units. This expansion was fueled by mandatory legislative safety requirements and increasing automotive production in Germany, which boosted demand for seat belts as original equipment. The introduction of innovative products like ZF's lightweight retractor in 2018 also contributed to market development.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions in 2020, yet market volume reached 116.9 million units that year and continued rising until 2022. From 2023, however, the market contracted sharply to 98.6 million units in 2023 and 86.6 million units in 2024. This downturn coincided with industry consolidation due to high R&D costs, while manufacturers like Hyundai imposed stricter seat belt standards in May 2023. Additionally, trends toward digitization and lightweight materials for electric vehicles gained momentum.

Production safety seat belts in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of safety seat belts declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 103.5 million US dollars, but then fell by 21.0% to 81.8 million US dollars in 2020. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 28.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual rate of 2.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

In 2020, Germany produced 106.7 million units of safety seat belts, representing a modest decline of 3.8% compared to the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 99.9 million units, with the largest annual decrease that year at 5.1%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 110.9 million units, which also saw the biggest annual increase of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Exports safety seat belts from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Exports of safety seat belts from Germany fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 14 468 thousand units, marking a significant drop of 16.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 39.1%, averaging an annual decline of 15.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, China, and Poland were the top destinations for Germany's safety seat belt exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 24.4% of exports, China for 17.5%, and Poland for 9.4%. Together, these three countries made up 51.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's safety seat belt exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 366.1 million US dollars, down 8.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 449.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.9%. The biggest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 11.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Mexico were the leading destinations for Germany's safety seat belt exports in value terms. China accounted for 41.2% of exports, the United States for 20.4%, and Mexico for 5.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 66.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports safety seat belts to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, imports of safety seat belts into Germany increased in 2020. Imports rose by 39.5% to 17 670 thousand units compared to 2019, which had the lowest volume at 17 670 thousand units. The largest annual decrease was in 2018 at 57.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 46%, averaging an annual decline of 18.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Romania, Poland, and Czechia were the primary sources for Germany's safety seat belt imports in volume terms. Romania supplied 35.4% of imports, Poland 20.6%, and Czechia 17.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of safety seat belts into Germany in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 578.1 million US dollars, a sharp reduction of 13.3% from the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 739.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.5%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.5%, with an average annual rate of decline of 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland were the largest suppliers of safety seat belts to Germany in value terms. Czechia accounted for 30.6% of imports, Hungary for 27.6%, and Poland for 21.8%. Together, these three countries made up 80.0% of total import value.

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

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