From the factory floor to the showroom to the open road, the automotive world accelerated at a breakneck pace in 2023, with global production hitting 66.2 million units, China dominating over a third of the output, electric vehicles surging to a 16% market share, and tragic safety statistics underscoring that technological innovation on the assembly line is only one part of the driving story.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, global passenger car production totaled 66.2 million units, up 9.4% from 2022 due to supply chain recovery.
- Toyota produced 10.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2023, maintaining its position as the top automaker by volume.
- China's automobile production hit 30.16 million units in 2023, accounting for 36% of global output.
- In 2023, global car sales reached 88 million units, with China leading at 26.6 million.
- Toyota sold 11.2 million vehicles worldwide in 2023, holding 12% market share.
- US new car sales totaled 15.5 million units in 2023, up 12.4% from 2022.
- In 2022, there were 42,939 motor vehicle crash deaths in the US, the highest since 2005.
- Seat belts saved an estimated 15,000 lives in US crashes in 2022.
- Drunk driving caused 13,524 fatalities in the US in 2022, 32% of total traffic deaths.
- In 2022, US average fuel economy for new light-duty vehicles was 26.4 mpg.
- Electric vehicles achieved 117 mpg-e combined in 2023 EPA ratings on average.
- Plug-in hybrids averaged 48 mpg combined in 2023 models.
- CO2 emissions from new US cars averaged 368 g/mi in 2022.
- Global average car CO2 emissions were 122.4 g/km in 2022 per ICCT.
- EV tailpipe emissions are zero, but lifecycle 50-70% lower than gasoline.
Global auto production and sales rebounded in 2023, driven by supply chain recovery and strong electric vehicle growth.
Economics
- US automotive industry contributed $1 trillion to GDP in 2022, 5.8% total.
- Auto manufacturing employed 950,000 in US in 2023.
- Global auto market revenue reached $3 trillion in 2023.
- Average new car price in US hit $48,759 in Q4 2023.
- Dealer profits from new cars averaged $3,700 per unit in 2023.
- Used car market valued at $1.2 trillion globally in 2023.
- Auto loans outstanding reached $1.6 trillion in US Q4 2023.
- EV incentives reduced purchase price by avg $7,500 in US 2023.
- Automotive R&D spending totaled $140 billion globally in 2023.
- Aftermarket parts market $400 billion worldwide 2023.
- Car insurance premiums rose 20% in US 2023 to avg $2,014/year.
- Fuel costs for average US driver $3,000 annually in 2023.
- Maintenance costs avg $1,000/year for cars over 5 years old.
- Exports of US vehicles $60 billion in 2023.
- China auto exports surged to 5.2 million units in 2023, $100B value.
- Lease penetration 30% of new car sales in US 2023.
- Subprime auto loan share 25% in Q4 2023 US market.
- Luxury vehicle resale value retained 55% after 3 years.
Economics Interpretation
While the automotive industry spins a towering three-trillion-dollar global gear, the individual driver is simply grinding through soaring prices, steep loans, and costly upkeep just to stay in their lane.
Emissions
- CO2 emissions from new US cars averaged 368 g/mi in 2022.
- Global average car CO2 emissions were 122.4 g/km in 2022 per ICCT.
- EV tailpipe emissions are zero, but lifecycle 50-70% lower than gasoline.
- NOx emissions from light-duty vehicles dropped 99% since 1970 due to catalysts.
- PM2.5 from cars reduced 96% in US from 2000-2020.
- Methane emissions from vehicles contribute 15% to US total transport GHG.
- Euro 6 standards limit cars to 80 mg/km NOx, achieved by 95% of fleet.
- Black carbon from brakes now exceeds tailpipes in modern EVs per Emissions Analytics.
- US cars emitted 1,020 lbs CO2 per year on average in 2022.
- Biofuel blends reduced lifecycle GHG by 20-80% vs fossil fuels.
- Tire wear particles from cars total 1,000 mg/km, major non-exhaust PM source.
- Global transport sector emitted 8 Gt CO2eq in 2022, cars 45%.
Emissions Interpretation
The statistics reveal a paradox where, despite achieving near-miraculous reductions in tailpipe pollutants and making real progress on cleaner fuels, the modern car's environmental footprint remains stubbornly heavy and is increasingly defined by the unsettling new problem of its own physical disintegration.
Fuel Economy
- In 2022, US average fuel economy for new light-duty vehicles was 26.4 mpg.
- Electric vehicles achieved 117 mpg-e combined in 2023 EPA ratings on average.
- Plug-in hybrids averaged 48 mpg combined in 2023 models.
- Diesel cars offered 30-40% better fuel economy than gasoline counterparts.
- US light-duty fleet fuel consumption fell 2% in 2022 to 6.8 million barrels/day.
- Hybrids like Toyota Prius reached 58 mpg highway in EPA tests.
- SUVs averaged 22 mpg in 2023, sedans 32 mpg for new US sales.
Fuel Economy Interpretation
While our gasoline cars inch towards sipping fuel instead of guzzling it, EVs and hybrids are already drinking electricity with the efficiency of a miser, yet our collective thirst for big SUVs keeps the national tank from truly running dry.
Production
- In 2023, global passenger car production totaled 66.2 million units, up 9.4% from 2022 due to supply chain recovery.
- Toyota produced 10.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2023, maintaining its position as the top automaker by volume.
- China's automobile production hit 30.16 million units in 2023, accounting for 36% of global output.
- In the US, light vehicle production reached 10.6 million units in 2023, a 19% increase year-over-year.
- Volkswagen Group manufactured 9.4 million vehicles in 2023, with a focus on electric vehicles contributing 771,000 units.
- India's passenger vehicle production grew to 4.1 million units in FY2023-24, driven by SUV demand.
- General Motors produced 6.2 million vehicles globally in 2023, emphasizing trucks and SUVs.
- Europe's car production fell to 13.2 million units in 2023, impacted by economic slowdown.
- Hyundai-Kia produced 7.3 million vehicles in 2023, with electrified models at 13% of total.
- Japan's auto production stood at 8.98 million units in 2023, down 6.5% due to chip shortages.
- Ford Motor Company assembled 4.4 million vehicles in 2023, led by F-Series trucks at 750,000 units.
- South Korea's vehicle production reached 4.2 million units in 2023, exporting 3.5 million.
- Brazil produced 2.37 million vehicles in 2023, with flex-fuel models dominating at 92%.
- Mexico's light vehicle production hit 3.59 million units in 2023, primarily for export.
- Germany's car production was 4.11 million units in 2023, focusing on premium segments.
- Stellantis produced 6.2 million vehicles in 2023, with Jeep and Ram leading US sales.
- Renault Group output reached 2.24 million vehicles in 2023, prioritizing affordable EVs.
- Thailand manufactured 1.84 million vehicles in 2023, known as the Detroit of Asia.
- Iran's domestic car production was 1.02 million units in 2023, mostly low-cost sedans.
- Australia's vehicle production was minimal at 3,500 units in 2023, all exports.
- Global heavy truck production rose to 3.8 million units in 2023, led by China at 2.1 million.
- Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai produced 947,000 vehicles in 2023, all for export and domestic.
- BMW Group manufactured 2.55 million vehicles in 2023, with EVs at 375,000 units.
- Honda produced 3.99 million vehicles globally in 2023, strong in Asia-Pacific.
- Nissan output was 3.37 million units in 2023, recovering post-alliance issues.
- Mercedes-Benz Cars division produced 2.04 million vehicles in 2023, luxury focus.
- US SUV production reached 4.1 million units in 2023, 39% of total light vehicles.
- Electric vehicle global production surged to 14 million units in 2023, 16% of total cars.
Production Interpretation
Despite the industry's patchy recovery, the global car market in 2023 resembled a high-speed chase where China extended its colossal lead, America and India gunned their SUV engines, Europe sputtered on the side of the road, and everyone, from Toyota down, is desperately trying to wire enough electrons into their future to keep up.
Safety
- In 2022, there were 42,939 motor vehicle crash deaths in the US, the highest since 2005.
- Seat belts saved an estimated 15,000 lives in US crashes in 2022.
- Drunk driving caused 13,524 fatalities in the US in 2022, 32% of total traffic deaths.
- Speeding was a factor in 29% of all fatal US crashes in 2022, killing 12,151 people.
- Distracted driving led to 3,308 deaths in the US in 2022.
- Motorcyclists accounted for 14% of US traffic fatalities in 2022 despite being 3% of vehicles.
- Pedestrian deaths rose to 7,522 in the US in 2022, up 1% from prior year.
- Teen drivers aged 16-19 had a crash rate 3 times higher than drivers over 20 per mile driven.
- IIHS rated 98% of 2023 model-year passenger vehicles as having good ratings in new side crash test.
- Automatic emergency braking reduced rear-end collisions by 50% according to IIHS study.
- Headlights earned good ratings on only 31% of 2023 vehicles tested by IIHS.
- Front crash prevention systems earned superior rating on 72% of 2023-24 vehicles.
- Child safety seat use reduced fatal injury risk by 71% for children under 1 year.
- Airbags deployed in 29% of US police-reported crashes in 2021.
- Rollover crashes caused 28% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2022.
- Large SUVs had 79% lower driver death rate than small cars in IIHS ratings.
- Tires contributed to 11% of crashes in NHTSA's national motor vehicle crash causation study.
- Global road traffic deaths totaled 1.19 million annually, 90% in low-income countries.
- Helmets reduce motorcyclist death risk by 37%, brain injury by 67%.
- Red light running caused 683 US deaths in 2021.
- Backup cameras mandated since 2018 reduced backover incidents by 30%.
- Average US driver involved in crash every 18 years, per NHTSA data.
- Vehicles with Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS had 24% lower fatal crash rates.
Safety Interpretation
The sobering truth is that while our cars are becoming brilliantly adept at protecting us from each other, we remain tragically inventive in finding new ways to endanger ourselves.
Sales
- In 2023, global car sales reached 88 million units, with China leading at 26.6 million.
- Toyota sold 11.2 million vehicles worldwide in 2023, holding 12% market share.
- US new car sales totaled 15.5 million units in 2023, up 12.4% from 2022.
- Volkswagen Group delivered 9.24 million vehicles in 2023, BEVs up 35%.
- China's passenger car sales hit 21.7 million in 2023, NEVs at 38% growth.
- India's car sales reached 4.1 million units in FY2023-24, SUVs 51% share.
- Europe new car registrations were 10.5 million in 2023, EVs 14.6% of total.
- Tesla delivered 1.81 million vehicles globally in 2023, Model Y top seller.
- Ford sold 2 million vehicles in US in 2023, F-Series at 750,000 units.
- General Motors US sales were 2.6 million in 2023, EVs up 40%.
- Hyundai Motor Group global sales 7.3 million in 2023, IONIQ 5 top EV.
- Japan's domestic car sales fell to 4.4 million in 2023, kei cars 36% share.
- Brazil's auto sales totaled 2.45 million units in 2023, up 12.2%.
- Germany's new car sales were 2.9 million in 2023, BEVs 18.4%.
- South Korea sold 1.7 million passenger cars domestically in 2023.
- Mexico car sales reached 1.36 million units in 2023, imports dominant.
- Australia's new car sales hit 1.2 million in 2023, utes and SUVs 70%.
- France registered 1.77 million new cars in 2023, EVs 16.8% share.
- UK new car sales totaled 1.9 million in 2023, BEVs 16.5%.
- Canada's light vehicle sales were 1.6 million in 2023, trucks 81%.
- Russia's car sales dropped to 1 million in 2023 due to sanctions.
- Global used car sales exceeded 130 million units in 2023.
- SUVs accounted for 47% of global car sales in 2023.
- Pickup trucks represented 18% of US new vehicle sales in 2023.
- Luxury car sales grew 8% globally to 2.8 million units in 2023.
Sales Interpretation
While Toyota alone sells more cars than most nations, the planet's collective drive for bigger, battery-powered vehicles suggests we're more determined to conquer the road than the emissions coming out of it.
Technology
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control proliferated in 85% of 2023 new cars.
- 72% of 2024 model-year vehicles include forward collision warning per IIHS.
- Tesla Autopilot engaged over 3 billion miles by 2023 users.
- Infotainment screens averaged 12.3 inches in 2023 luxury cars.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay available in 60% of 2023 models.
- Level 2 autonomy features in 40% of new cars sold in 2023.
- Digital instrument clusters replaced analogs in 75% of 2023 midsize cars.
- Over-the-air updates delivered to 500 million vehicles cumulatively by 2023.
- Heads-up displays (HUD) in 25% of 2023 premium vehicles.
- 5G connectivity enabled in 15% of 2024 flagships for V2X.
- Augmented reality HUDs projected on 5 million cars by 2025, starting 2023.
- Biometric authentication like fingerprint in 10% luxury 2023 models.
- 360-degree cameras standard in 50% SUVs 2023.
- Digital rearview mirrors in 20% pickups 2023.
- Gesture controls for infotainment in 8% premium cars 2023.
- Matrix LED headlights adaptive in 30% European 2023 cars.
- Solid-state batteries prototyped in 10 production cars by 2023 end.
- Voice assistants with generative AI in 5 models like Mercedes MBUX.
- Wireless charging pads for phones in 35% 2023 vehicles.
Technology Interpretation
We’re hurtling toward a future where our cars are less about horsepower and more about processing power, with screens bigger than our TVs, digital mirrors replacing the real thing, and safety systems that watch the road so intently you’d think they’re studying for a driver’s test.
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