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Automotive industry in the Asia-Pacific region - statistics & facts

Encompassing an area spanning 29.3 million square kilometers, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 60 percent of the world’s population. Many of the countries in the region, including China and India, make up some of the fastest-growing nations in terms of population size. Taking its increasing population into consideration, it comes as no surprise that Asian economies and industries are evolving constantly. One such industry is the automotive industry. Increased population produces increased demand for effective mobility. The region has a reputation as being home to some of the world’s most valuable vehicle manufacturers. The automotive industry, which includes the manufacturing of motor vehicles along with the aftermarket parts, generates huge numbers of sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles for the region with its high levels of production. This makes it a core industry for many Asia-Pacific economies.

Who are the big players?

Many countries across the Asia-Pacific region stand out as strong competitors in the automotive sector. Japan, China, and South Korea all boast impressive car manufacturing industries. Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation was ranked the second-biggest car manufacturer globally by market capitalization. While Japan boasts high-value car brands, China produces the largest number of cars in the world. China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has consistently exhibited increasing revenue, only experiencing a slight recession in recent years, and South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company stands as the largest vehicle manufacturer in South Korea. Other recently emerged economies have also made a strong entrance into the automotive sector, notably the ASEAN countries. However, Southeast Asian countries experienced a decrease in motor vehicle sales due to the pandemic.

What do consumers want?

In recent years, the industry has suffered somewhat in several countries across the Asia-Pacific region. A possible reason for this could be a rise in environmental awareness among consumers. With increased displays of climate change concern, now more than ever there appears to be high interest in vehicles that offer alternative fuel options. The present and future focus seem to be on electric vehicles. In order to retain their reputation in the automotive industry, it appears as though Asia-Pacific vehicle manufacturers will have to continuously develop and evolve their production of electric and eco-friendly vehicles. Interestingly, countries such as Thailand have started to channel their efforts into targeting foreign investors who seek the rise of eco-friendly automobiles. Beyond environmentally conscious vehicles, autonomous vehicles are also being tested across the Asia-Pacific region. However, presently there remains consumer concern about the safety of such vehicles. Indeed, it appears the Asia-Pacific region will have to tackle both these safety and climate concerns to maintain its global influence in the automotive industry.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 5, 2023

Key insights

Top APAC automaker globally by market cap
Toyota
Biggest car market by sales
China
Number of passenger cars produced in Japan
6.62m
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Leading automakers in Asia in 2021, by sales (in billion U.S. dollars)

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Leading automakers Asia 2021, by sales

Number of passenger cars produced in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, by country or territory (in 1,000s)

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Passenger car production volume APAC 2021, by country

Number of motor vehicles sold in Southeast Asia in 2021, by country (in 1,000s)

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Motor vehicle sales volume ASEAN 2021, by country

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