CAPTION: New cars on freight trains in Ingolstadt (AUDI's headquarters). (picture alliance/Daniel Kalker/dpa/archive)
Cars have been Germany's leading export for eight years. In 2018, motor vehicles and automotive parts amounting to 229.7 billion euros were exported, according to provisional data released on Wednesday by the Federal Statistical Office. They thus continue to be the most important "Made in Germany" export product, as they have since 2010.
In second and third place last year were machinery amounting to 193.2 billion euros and chemical products with 117.7 billion euros, the Wiesbaden-based agency said.
The largest buyer of German motor vehicles and parts was the United States with a value of 27.2 billion euros last year. Imports from the United States came in significantly lower at 5.2 billion euros - leading to a German export surplus of 22 billion euros.
The export strength particularly of German manufacturers has been a thorn in US President Donald Trump's side. There is increasing concern that Trump may impose special tariffs on European cars. At the weekend, the US Commerce Department submitted to the president its assessment of whether imports of cars and parts are affecting the country's national security.
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A single purchase
