- Global automotive production increased by almost 4% in 2013 to 87 million vehicles. China remains by far the largest automobile producer (26% of total world production), followed by the USA (13%), Japan (11%) and Germany (7%). These four countries account for more than half of global production (57%).

- China and the United States benefit from the large volume of their respective markets (these two countries export few vehicles), while Japan and Germany benefit more from strong exports than sales on their domestic market.

- Behind these four leaders, Korea (5% of world production), India (5%), Brazil (4%), Mexico (3%) and Thailand (3%) are the most dynamic emerging countries worldwide.

- The European Union as a whole accounts for 18% of the world production, which is slightly less than the NAFTA region that includes the United States, Canada and Mexico (19% of world production).

- Compared to 2012, the ranking of the top 15 manufacturing countries of 2013 undergoes little change. The first eight are in the same order. Thailand moves from 10th to 9th place,  overtaking Canada. Russia remains 11th but France lost its 12th place to Spain. The UK remains in the 14th place and in 15th place, Indonesia replaces the Czech Republic. The production of countries of Southeast Asia are growing rapidly....