The VW Golf remains the most produced vehicle in Germany in 2022
- The Volkswagen Golf (C-segment sedan) remained the most produced car in Germany between 2007 and 2022, but its production volume plummeted from 2015, falling from 770,000 units that year to 510,000 in 2019, 300,000 in 2020 and 200,000 in 2021. In 2022, the Golf progresses slightly to 220,000 units, but it is followed closely by the Volkswagen Tiguan (197,000 units) which is in a way the SUV version of the Golf. But the Tiguan (C-segment SUV) also saw its production volume declined since 2017, the year in which 300,000 units were manufactured in Germany.
- Why this drop in production of the Golf? A large part of its clientele has turned to the brand's SUVs (such as the Tiguan and especially the T-Roc produced in Portugal) as well as to other brands. The ID3, ID4 and ID5 electric cars also took customers from the Golf, but only from 2020. And these models only totalised 165,000 units in 2022, too few to explain the Golf's fall for several years.
- In third position in German automobile production, the BMW 3 Series (D-segment sedan) remained among the three most produced cars in Germany for a long time. But the Series 4 has gradually taken a good part of its clientele. From 500,000 units produced in 2007, the 3 Series has gradually fallen to 385,000 units in 2013 and 185,000 in 2022.
- In fourth and fifth position are the Mercedes GLC (D-segment SUV) and Mercedes C-Class (D-segment sedan) which totalise 142,000 units and 120,000 units respectively in 2022. The C-Class has fallen significantly since 2007 when it was produced at 300,000 units. The overall balance of German production shows a drop in traditional sedans. It should be added that the Premium sedans destined for China have gradually shifted from exports from Germany to Chinese local production.