EU’s Automotive Industry Sees Decline in Robot Installations in 2024
In a recent report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), it was revealed that the European Union’s automotive industry installed 30,650 industrial robots in 2024, representing a 5% year-on-year decline. This is a significant drop compared to previous years, with six of the EU’s top ten vehicle-producing countries experiencing double-digit losses.
According to IFR President Takayuki Ito, the automotive sector has historically been a strong customer for industrial robots, accounting for around a quarter of all installations in 2024. However, the majority of EU countries in the automotive sector have significantly reduced their investments in robotics.
Germany, the largest producer of vehicles in the EU and fourth in the world, saw a 25% decline in robot installations compared to the previous year. Other top 10 automotive countries in the EU also experienced decreases in robot investments, including Spain, the Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Italy, Romania, and Poland.
One notable outlier in the EU is Hungary, ranking ninth in terms of vehicle production. The country saw a 305% surge in robot installations, mainly due to major car industry projects that accounted for 84% of the total installations in 2024.
Looking ahead, the EU’s automotive industry is not expected to drive growth for the robotics industry in 2025. Lower demand for electric vehicles and political uncertainties have caused companies to postpone investment projects. However, the recent trade and tariff agreement between the EU and the United States has given hope for a potential return to growth in 2027 and 2028.
For more information on the report, including press releases in English and German and downloadable images, visit the IFR website at https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/.
About IFR
The International Federation of Robotics is the global voice of the robotics industry, representing national robot associations, academia, and manufacturers of industrial and service robots from over twenty countries. For more information, visit www.ifr.org and follow IFR on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Press Contact
International Federation of Robotics
Press Officer
Carsten Heer
Phone: +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
Email: press@ifr.org
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