Vehicle locks market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for vehicle locks in Germany contracted significantly in value between 2018 and 2024. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted automotive manufacturing, leading to a sharp fall in demand for automotive components including locks.

Following the pandemic shock, the industry's focus shifted toward digitalization and innovation. Major players like Kiekert, Valeo, HUF, and Brose drove the adoption of smart locking systems, a trend fueled by the growth of connected vehicles and the Internet of Things. This technological shift supported a partial recovery in domestic production in 2021, although the overall market value continued a gradual decline through 2022.

By 2024, the market value had decreased to 234 million $. The period was characterized by a structural transformation within the industry toward higher-value electronic and smart locking solutions, even as the total market size slowly diminished.

Production vehicle locks in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's vehicle locks production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 300.1 million US dollars, marking a 22.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 48%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 19.6%.

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

Exports vehicle locks from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Vehicle locks export volumes from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 12,130 tonnes, down 20.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 33.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's vehicle locks exports in kind were distributed across many countries. China accounted for 17.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.1%, and the United States for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.0% 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 vehicle locks exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 436.2 million US dollars, down 13.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 24.1%, with a CAGR of -8.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 587.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 14.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 2.3%.

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

The market base for Germany's vehicle locks exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. China accounted for 24.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.8%, and the United States for 10.8%. Combined, these three countries represented just 45.9% of total flows, with the remaining 54.1% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports vehicle locks to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's vehicle locks import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 19,479 tonnes, down 18.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 27,410 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Italy, and Romania were the main sources for Germany's vehicle locks imports in kind. Czechia accounted for 47.1% of imports, Italy for 16.1%, and Romania for 13.6%. Together, these three countries formed 76.7% 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

Germany's vehicle locks imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 436.2 million US dollars, indicating a 19.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 25.1%, with a CAGR of -9.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 606.5 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 10.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Romania, and Italy formed the core group of markets for Germany's vehicle locks imports in value terms. Czechia accounted for 46.2% of imports, Romania for 12.1%, and Italy for 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented 69.6% of total import flows.

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

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