Why one corner of Europe’s car industry is still booming.
22 February 2026
The world’s most car-intensive economy draws plenty of investment, for now.
In 2025 Slovakia manufactured nearly 1.1m vehicles, more than anywhere else in the world per head of population. It’s the heart of the country’s economy, contributing around 10% of GDP and directly employing 170 000 people.
Almost all the cars head abroad, making up around a third of all exports.
In 2025 Slovakia manufactured nearly 1.1m vehicles, more than anywhere else in the world per head of population. It’s the heart of the country’s economy, contributing around 10% of GDP and directly employing 170 000 people.
Almost all the cars head abroad, making up around a third of all exports.