For More Information about exporting to Germany contact:
Kellie Smith-Glover
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service, Munich
+49-89-2888-769
Market Entry
croATIA
Rimac Automobili, the manufacturer of the world fastest electric racing car, is the only Croatian car brand and has recently started a serial production, after several years of struggling to find a strategic investor. The company has also received European Union (EU) funding for development of car batteries. '
The traditional automobile industry in Croatia consists of automotive part manufacturing companies supplying almost all well-known automobile brands. For example, AD Plastik manufactures plastic automotive parts while Boxmark Leather manufactures leather seats, and Lipik Glas wind shields. Metal production, welding, plastics manufacturing, and engineering are the most common sectors related to automotive manufacturing in Croatia. In 2020, the German Porsche Digital and the Croatian software company Infinum established a digital innovation hub for smart mobility.
Consumers in Croatia are following global trends in smart mobility. They increasingly tend to purchase hybrid and electric cars, cars with autonomous driving software, electrical scooters, etc. They prefer using transportation providing apps as an alternative to car ownership. Smart mobility solutions are in demand in large cities and in touristic places across the coastline in order to provide better experience for citizens and to protect local culture and environment.
Consumers in Croatia are following global trends in smart mobility. They increasingly tend to purchase hybrid and electric cars, cars with autonomous driving software, electrical scooters, etc. They prefer using transportation providing apps as an alternative to car ownership. Smart mobility solutions are in demand in large cities and in touristic places across the coastline in order to provide better experience for citizens and to protect local culture and environment.
Croatia is an EU member, with fully harmonized regulatory system. Exporters of vehicles, Original Equipment (OE) parts & components, as well as aftermarket products & accessories to the EU and its member states must undergo a thorough assessment of, and ensure compliance with, existing European Commission Directives, i.e. regulatory requirements regarding technical specifications, product safety, as well as environmental impact & requirements. In principle, type-approval granted for vehicles or vehicle parts in one EU member state should be accepted by all member states across the EU. The institution responsible for automotive registration in Croatia is the Center for Vehicles of Croatia.
I - 32 - I
Participating in German trade fairs is one of the most cost-effective ways of testing the market's receptiveness to a product, investigating competitors, and finding customers or potential agents and distributors. Due to their international significance and large attendance, German trade fairs provide an excellent vehicle for introducing new products and for presenting a gateway to the European Union and Eastern European markets. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in many events being cancelled or postponed. With special health and safety measures in place, the trade fair schedule in Germany is to restart as of September 2020, many in a “hybrid” format with digital networking as a key component.
The most important trade events for the major sport sectors are listed below:
FIBO 2022 (Fitness): April 7-10, 2022, Cologne, www.fibo.com
EuroBike 2022: July 13-17, 2022, Friedrichshafen, www.eurobike.com
ISPO 2022: January 23-26, 2022, Munich, www.ispo.com/en/munich
OutDoor by ISPO 2022: Summer 2022, Munich, www.ispo.com/en/outdoor
Germany
Trade Events
MArk
Trade Associations:
German Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association: www.bsi-ev.com
German Association of Sporting Goods Retailers: www.vds-sportfachhandel.de
European Outdoor Group: www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com
Association of the German Fitness Industry: http://www.vdf-fitnessverband.de
German Golf Association: www.golf.de
German Tennis Federation: https://www.dtb-tennis.de/
Rating Definitions
1 Little to no probability of success for U.S. exporters
2 More challenges than opportunities
3 More opportunities than challenges
4 Very high probability of success for U.S. exporters
Trade Events
MArk
Market Snapshot
MArk