Leading import countries for motor vehicles from Germany based on export value 2023

German car brands are known and exported the world over. The U.S. was the leading importer of motor vehicles from Germany, followed by China and the UK. Leading importers in the EU include France, Italy and Poland.

At the wheel

Car brands such as BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen (VW), to name just a few, are a key part of Germany’s international image and economic standing, belonging to one of the longest-running and most successful industries in the country. While all of the aforementioned brands rely on global automotive sales as their main sources of revenue, they also have to contend with a changing industry due to the introduction of electric cars. Any car brand wanting to continue being successful in the future has to integrate electric vehicle production into its process. In the broader context of Germany aiming to achieve energy transition, these new cars take on additional significance. Globally, the VW Group so far held 7.3 percent of the plug-in electric vehicle market in 2023. 

Volkswagen leading car brand

Which car brands are the most popular among German vehicle owners? Based on ownership share, Volkswagen consistently wins the race. However, the company also recorded lower ownership figures from 2020 to 2022. Opel and Mercedez-Benz were other popular choices. German car brands were also among the leading German brands worldwide, by brand value, with Mercedes-Benz valued at almost 59 billion U.S. dollars and Volkswagen at around 34 billion U.S. dollars.