(dpa) - Car production in Slovakia nearly doubled to a record 571,071 vehicles in 2007 from 295,390 the previous year, making the central European country the world's leading carmaker per capita, a Slovak industry group said Tuesday.
The plants in Slovakia churned out 105.7 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, Slovakia's Automotive Industry Association said. The Czech Republic and Slovenia are likely production-per-capita runner- ups, a Czech industry group said.
The country of five million people is home to plants owned by Volkswagen, Kia Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen which are among the top exporters. Cars alone represent some 40 per cent of the country's total exports.
The association estimates that the industry, which has fuelled Slovakia's booming economy, should produce 640,000 cars in 2008.