THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE EU AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

The automotive industry represents one of the most important contributors to the economy of the European Union (EU). Besides providing employment, car production industry might be essential contributor to foreign trade balance for especially major car producers like Germany, France and other EU Member States. The EU is also positioned as the world's leading producer of motor vehicles. In year 2019, the EU car producers are facing serious challenges. Slower growth of EU industrial production, decreased passenger car production and passenger car registrations, decline in car demand, strict environmental standards and the EU legislative, production restructuring, stronger rivalry proved to impact on the competitiveness of the EU car industry. The main goal of this research is to identify international competitiveness of major car producers (countries) of the EU. The methodology consists of the implementation of chosen international trade indicators of car producers from selected EU Member Countries. The conclusion refers in confirming current international competitiveness of the EU automotive industry and its perspective. The recommendations and proposals are given based on the results of research.