In 2024, the world built 92.5 million motor vehicles (passenger cars and commercial vehicles combined). A visualisation of OICA’s data from the World in Maps divides this total into three equal segments of roughly 33.3 % each and shows that a single country, China, accounts for an entire third of global vehicle output on its own.

China assembled 27,476,886 passenger cars and 3,804,706 commercial vehicles in 2024, bringing its total production to 31,281,592 vehicles. That figure represents about 34% of all cars and trucks built worldwide, far more than any other country. China’s output has been kept afloat by large domestic demand and aggressive expansion in electric vehicles; it recorded a 4% increase over the previous year.

After China, the next tier of manufacturers is led by Japan, the United States, India, Mexico and South Korea. In 2024, Japan produced 8,234,681 vehicles, while the United States built 10,562,188 units (including 9,129,573 commercial vehicles).

India’s factories rolled out 6,014,691 vehicles, reflecting steady growth in one of the world ’s fastest‑expanding auto markets. Mexico and South Korea each manufactured just over 4 million vehicles. Combined, these five nations accounted for roughly another third of global production.

The remaining third came from dozens of other countries. Major European producers included Germany (about 4.07 million cars)and Spain (2.38 million vehicles). Brazil produced 2.55 million vehicles, posting a 10 % year‑on‑year increase. Russia rebounded strongly with 982,665 vehicles produced, up 35 % after a sharp decline the previous year.

Smaller but still significant contributions came from Thailand , Turkey, Canada, the United Kingdom and Italy, among others. Overall, world production fell by about 1 % in 2023, reflecting weaker demand in some markets and supply‑chain adjustments.

Other countries on the list include Germany (68.3%), Finland (68.2%), the United Kingdom (68.1%), Austria (67.2%), Sweden (67.0%), and Luxembourg (66.4%).

Demographic shifts and vision health

The sharp increase in eyewear usage globally can largely be attributed to ageing populations in developed countries. According to the World Health Organisation , presbyopia—a natural decline in near vision due to aging—affects more than a billion people globally, with most cases occurring after the age of 40.

In the U.S., the National Eye Institute reports that the demand for vision correction is rising not just due to ageing but also because of prolonged screen exposure, a side effect of digital lifestyles. This trend, known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, has prompted more people —especially younger adults and teenagers—to seek prescription eyewear.

Eyewear market poised for strong growth

The global eyewear market is projected to grow from $147 billion in 2024 to over $210 billion by 2030, according to data from Grand View Research. The surge is being fueled not only by increased medical need but also by evolving fashion trends and advancements in smart eyewear technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) glasses and blue-light filtering lenses.

Moreover, the proliferation of e-commerce platforms and virtual try-on tools has made eyewear more accessible and customisable, appealing to a broader demographic and supporting global demand.