Market evolution: Gasoline engine parts (CN 840991) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the trade evolution of the European Union in parts for spark-ignition internal combustion engines (Customs code 840991) over the 2015-2025 period. The market has undergone significant structural shifts, characterized by a persistent trend of rising unit values alongside declining traded volumes. This dynamic points to a fundamental transformation in the nature of the parts being traded, likely driven by technological evolution and strategic repositioning within the automotive supply chain. Overall, the EU has maintained its position as a net exporter, but the scale of its surplus has narrowed considerably as import dependencies have deepened.

1. A Market of Declining Volumes and Rising Values

The most striking feature of the EU's trade in gasoline engine parts over the decade is the pronounced divergence between value and volume trends. While the monetary value of trade has shown resilience or growth, the physical quantities exchanged have consistently fallen. This indicates a shift towards more technologically complex, higher-value-added components.

Export Volumes Fall While Values Edge Up

EU export performance reveals a clear pivot from volume-driven to value-driven growth. Between the first and last available years, the total export value increased by 3.5%, reaching €3.81 billion. In stark contrast, export quantities plummeted by 28.8% to 172,574 tonnes. This was made possible by a dramatic 45.4% surge in average export prices, from €15,169 to €22,059 per tonne. This pattern suggests the EU is exporting fewer but more sophisticated or premium-engineered parts.

Imports Follow the Same Price-Volume Divergence

The import side shows a similar, though slightly less pronounced, trend. Import values grew robustly by 34.3% to €2.71 billion, while import volumes contracted by 7.1% to 138,140 tonnes. Consequently, import unit prices also escalated by 44.5%, reaching €19,637 per tonne. The convergence of import and export unit prices by 2025 (€19,637 vs €22,059) signals a global market increasingly focused on higher-value segments.

A Deteriorating but Substantial Trade Surplus

Despite the positive value trends, the EU's trade balance in this sector has weakened. The surplus, while still substantial at €1.09 billion in 2025, has shrunk by 34.0% from its starting level of €1.66 billion. This erosion is due to import growth outpacing export growth over the period.

Source: EU Trade Overview

2. Shifting Partnerships and Heightened Import Dependence

The geographic composition of EU trade has been reshaped, notably by the rapid rise of China as an import supplier and shifting demand for EU exports from traditional and emerging markets. This has increased the EU's reliance on external sources.

China's Dominant Rise as an Import Source

China has emerged as the undisputed leader in supplying the EU with gasoline engine parts. Its export value to the EU soared by 172.5% over the period, from €223 million to €607 million. Other major suppliers like South Korea (+136.0%) and Mexico (+17.4%) also grew, while imports from the United Kingdom and the United States stagnated or declined. This diversification has, however, come with increased volatility, particularly linked to price shocks from Türkiye and China around 2020.

Export Markets: Fortunes Reversed Between Old and New Economies

On the export side, the EU's traditional strongholds have weakened. Exports to the United States fell by 37.2% and to China declined by 22.3%. Conversely, exports to emerging markets flourished: shipments to Brazil exploded by 301.5%, and to India jumped by 240.8%. Mexico also grew as a key export destination (+57.9%). This highlights a geographical rebalancing of demand.

Deepening Net Import Reliance

The combined effect of rising imports and moderating exports has significantly increased the EU's net import reliance for this product category. The metric moved from -3.8% in 2015 to -15.1% in 2025 (a negative value indicates a net exporter). While the EU remains a net exporter, its relative self-sufficiency has diminished substantially, indicating greater vulnerability to external supply dynamics.

3. Production Decline and Internal Restructuring

Underlying the trade shifts is a story of contracting production within the EU and a changing internal landscape of specialization among Member States.

EU Production Value in Significant Decline

Domestic production of parts under CN 840991 within the EU has experienced a notable contraction in value. Starting at €12.43 billion, production value fell to €8.38 billion by 2025, a drop of 32.6%. This decline is sharper than the trade data alone would suggest, implying that some domestic demand is being met more by imports and that the export-oriented segment may be focusing on specific high-value niches.

A Shifting Map of Specialization within the EU

The industrial landscape for this product within the EU is uneven. In 2025, Germany remains the leading specialized producer (RCA of 1.89), but smaller Eastern European economies are establishing strong footholds. Bulgaria (RCA 2.14) and Romania (RCA 1.73) show high levels of specialization. Poland is particularly significant, holding an RCA of 1.77 and accounting for 11.8% of total EU production. Conversely, countries like Ireland and Denmark have minimal presence in this specific segment.

Dominant Role of German and Italian Exports

In terms of intra-EU export power, Germany is the undisputed giant, responsible for 56.7% of the EU's extra-bloc exports in 2025, though its value declined by 13.8% from its peak. Italy has emerged as a major growth story, with its export value more than doubling (+118.2%) to become the EU's second-largest exporter. This underscores a diversification of export capability beyond the traditional German core.

Conclusion

The EU market for gasoline engine parts (CN 840991) from 2015 to 2025 has been defined by a structural transition. The era of volume growth has given way to a period of value appreciation, where higher unit prices drive trade figures despite falling physical quantities. This shift reflects an industry moving towards more advanced components.

Geographically, the EU has seen its net exporter position erode as it has become more reliant on imports, especially from China. Simultaneously, its export profile has pivoted away from the US and China towards high-growth markets like Brazil and India. Internally, production has contracted, but specialization has spread, with countries like Italy, Poland, and Romania gaining prominence alongside the enduring, though slightly diminished, German powerhouse.

These trends suggest an automotive supply chain in flux, adapting to technological change and global competition. The EU's future competitiveness in this sector will hinge on its ability to maintain leadership in high-value innovation while managing increased import dependencies and navigating a more geographically dispersed demand landscape.