Bilbao, March 10th, 2026 – The Basque automotive sector generated €24.853 billion in revenue in 2025, down 1.9% from the previous year. This figure does not include the specific contribution of Mercedes-Benz Vitoria.
These results stem from stagnant vehicle production in certain markets where the Basque region has a strong presence, such as Europe and North America. Added to this are factors such as tariff policies that have penalized the European industry, the slowdown in electric vehicle sales relative to expectations, and the entry of Chinese competitors that have eroded market share from European companies.
In terms of employment, 38,200 people work in the Basque Country, 1.3% fewer than the previous year, although the figure remains above 140,000 people worldwide. According to Inés Anitua, General Director of ACICAE, “The outlook for 2026 remains delicate due to a profound transformation of the sector driven by technological, regulatory, and geopolitical changes, compounded by another recent external factor such as the war in Iran.”
She adds: “But we also need to put this into perspective because we are coming off record years for revenue and employment, so we must monitor the sector’s evolution in the coming months.”
On the other hand, 90% of the sector’s sales remain international, and more than half of these are generated outside Europe.
The Basque automotive sector consists of some 300 component manufacturers ranging from foreign-owned multinationals, local multinationals, cooperatives, and family-owned businesses.
