“In cumulative terms, from January to November 2020, there was a decrease of 22 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, corresponding to 250,868 units manufactured in 2020," ACAP said in a statement.

In November alone, 35,454 light and heavy vehicles were produced, which translates into an increase of 12.9 percent compared to the same month of 2019.

By category, in the first 11 months of the year, 201,018 light passenger vehicles were produced, 23.5 percent less than in the same period, 46,991 light commercial vehicles (-12.9 percent) and 2,859 heavy vehicles (-42.9 percent).

As regards exports, which represent 98 percent of production in Portugal, Europe remains the leading destination with 94.2 percent.

Germany (20.7 percent), France (16.6 percent), Italy (11.3 percent), Spain (11 percent) and the United Kingdom (7.8 percent) are at the top of this assessment.

From January to November, the assembly of heavy vehicles fell by 78.9 percent compared to the same period last year, to 584 units.

In November, 26 heavy-duty vehicles were assembled, a decline of 82.7 percent compared to the same month in 2019.

This was the fourth consecutive month in which only heavy passenger vehicles were fitted.

In the 11 months of the year, 82.2 percent of the vehicles assembled in Portugal were exported, the equivalent of 480 units.

"The United States of America is the biggest destination of these exports since it receives 54.8 percent of exports" .