France capacity utilisation rate: motor vehicles
France capacity utilisation rate: motor vehicles stood at 75.62% in Sep 2026, according to Banque de France – Webstat (webstat.banque-france.fr). It is one of the indicators in the Banque de France business surveys table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1987 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Banque de France business surveys table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity utilisation rate | |||||||||||
| Motor vehicles | 75.62 | 75.09 | 74.32 | 76.18 | 75.2 | 77.48 | 75.6 | 73.44 | 75.41 | 74.2 | |
| Other transport equipment | 82.63 | 78.08 | 82.03 | 82.6 | 81.49 | 82.79 | 83.56 | 83.4 | 83.98 | 85.1 |
Understanding france capacity utilisation rate: motor vehicles
Automotive assembly plants and private passenger vehicle manufacturers measure the proportion of active factory capacity currently engaged in production lines. Participants evaluate the ratio of actual vehicle output against maximum potential output achievable with existing machinery, standard operating hours, and regular staffing levels. This metric specifically isolates road vehicle construction from aerospace, rail, and marine transport engineering found in broader sectoral measures. Facilities producing commercial trucks, passenger cars, and vehicle chassis report directly, while independent automotive parts manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers are tracked under separate classifications.
Reading these monthly readings requires filtering out scheduled summer factory shutdowns and annual model-line retooling periods that temporarily depress utilization rates. Analysts should examine year-over-year shifts alongside month-to-month movements to properly interpret cyclical demand for passenger and commercial vehicles. Comparing automotive plant utilization directly with consumer goods or raw materials sectors can mislead researchers due to distinct supply chain pressures and inventory management strategies unique to the automotive industry.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific facilities are covered in the motor vehicles capacity measure?
- The series tracks automotive assembly plants producing passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and vehicle chassis.
- How do scheduled factory shutdowns impact the reported utilization figures?
- Annual model-line retooling and summer holiday closures cause predictable drops in plant utilization that require careful interpretation.
- Are independent automotive parts manufacturers included in this metric?
- No, independent parts suppliers and component makers fall under separate industrial survey classifications.