Market evolution: Motor vehicle clutches (CN 870893) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of the European Union's trade in motor vehicle clutches and parts (Combined Nomenclature code 870893) with non-EU countries over the period 2015-2025. The data reveals a dynamic decade characterized by significant shifts in trade volumes, partner relationships, and market structure, all occurring against a backdrop of major geopolitical and industrial changes, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the accelerating transition to electric vehicles.

1. A Decade of Value Growth Outpacing Volume

The overall trade data shows a clear trend: while the EU maintained its status as a net exporter throughout the period, the nature of that trade evolved significantly, with value increasing substantially more than physical quantities.

1.1 Exports: Higher Value on Slightly Lower Volumes

Between 2015 and 2025, the value of EU exports grew by 20.0%, rising from €1.41 billion to €1.69 billion, reaching a peak of €1.91 billion in 2023. However, the exported quantity actually fell by 6.1% over the same period, from 140,606 tonnes to 131,972 tonnes. This divergence indicates a strong increase in the unit value (price) of exported clutches, which rose by 27.9% from €10,016 per tonne to €12,807 per tonne. This suggests a shift in the EU's export basket towards higher-value, likely more technologically advanced or specialized, clutch components. The General Overview details these overall trade trends.

1.2 Imports: Strong Growth in Both Value and Volume

EU imports of motor vehicle clutches grew more vigorously than exports over the decade. Import value increased by 37.5% to €825 million in 2025, while quantities rose by 13.2% to 100,775 tonnes. The import price also climbed by 21.4% to €8,191 per tonne. The peak import value of €890 million was recorded in 2024. This growth underlines the increasing integration of non-EU suppliers into the EU automotive supply chain.

1.3 A Persistent but Shifting Trade Surplus

The EU consistently recorded a trade surplus in this product category. The surplus grew by 7.0% from €808 million in 2015 to €865 million in 2025, peaking at €1.07 billion in 2023. While the surplus remains healthy, its growth lagged behind import growth, as indicated by the net import reliance shifting from -8.3% in 2015 to -24.4% in 2025, meaning imports constitute a growing share of the EU's apparent consumption.

2. Geographic Realignment of Trade Partnerships

A major feature of the period was the significant reshuffling of the EU's main trade partners for clutches, driven by Brexit, nearshoring trends, and the rise of emerging manufacturing hubs.

2.1 Brexit's Decisive Impact on the UK Partnership

The United Kingdom's position was fundamentally altered by its exit from the EU. As an exporter, the UK remained the EU's top destination, although its share in value fluctuated. As an importer, however, the UK's role collapsed. The value of clutch imports from the UK fell by 45.3%, from €202 million in 2015 to €111 million in 2025. This sharp decline is the single largest shift in the partner landscape and reflects the disruption of integrated supply chains following Brexit. The top partners by value data clearly illustrates this collapse.

2.2 The Rise of Türkiye and China as Import Sources

Filling part of the gap left by the UK, and reflecting broader industrial trends, Türkiye and China dramatically increased their exports of clutches to the EU.

• Türkiye: Import value from Türkiye grew by 90.3% to €182 million in 2025, making it one of the EU's top two suppliers. This aligns with Türkiye's established role as an automotive manufacturing base serving the European market.
• China: The most dramatic growth came from China, with import value surging by 171.0% to €186 million in 2025. This underscores China's expanding role not just in finished vehicles, but also in critical automotive components.

2.3 Diversification in Export Destinations

While the UK remained the top export market, the EU successfully diversified its export base. Exports to the United States grew by 64.0%, and to Brazil and Mexico, growth exceeded 100%. Conversely, exports to the Russian Federation collapsed by 95.2% to just €3.6 million in 2025, reflecting the impact of geopolitical sanctions and supply chain reconfigurations following 2022.

3. Internal Restructuring and Rising Specialization

Beyond aggregate flows, the EU's clutch trade underwent a structural evolution, marked by changing production geography within the bloc and a shift in the composition of traded products.

3.1 Production Concentration in Central Europe

EU production data (available in kilograms and euros) shows that output value grew strongly by 75.8% over the period, indicating inflation and/or a move to higher-value production. The specialisation analysis reveals a clear geographic core: Hungary and Slovakia exhibited the highest relative comparative advantage (RSCA) in 2025, followed by Germany. This points to a deepening of clutch manufacturing capabilities in Central and Eastern European member states, often linked to major automotive OEM clusters.

3.2 Shift Towards "General" Clutch Components

Breaking down the 870893 heading, a notable trend emerges in the trade composition. The subheading 87089310, covering clutches for specific vehicles (e.g., certain tractors, smaller-engined cars), represents a much smaller and more volatile market. In contrast, the broader category 87089390 ("clutches and parts thereof, n.e.s.") dominates, constituting over 90% of trade value. The unit price for 87089390 exports rose steadily from €10,039/t to €12,744/t, mirroring the overall trend. The product segment breakdown confirms this dominance.

3.3 Increased Market Integration and Slight Diversification

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import value fell by 19.9%, indicating a diversification of import sources away from concentration. For exports, the HHI fell by 11.9%, suggesting a slight broadening of customer bases. This aligns with the observed geographic shifts in the partner data.

Conclusion

Over the 2015-2025 period, the EU's trade in motor vehicle clutches demonstrated resilience and adaptation. The bloc solidified its position as a high-value net exporter, with its industry increasingly focused on specialized, higher-priced components. The most transformative change was the radical reorientation of supply chains: the decline of the UK as an import source was matched by the strategic rise of Türkiye and China, while export markets successfully diversified away from Russia towards the Americas. Internally, production and specialization consolidated around the automotive heartlands of Germany and Central Europe. These dynamics reflect an industry navigating the pressures of global competition, political change, and technological transition, while maintaining a strong but evolving competitive edge.