The automotive industry is one of the most important industries in the Czech Republic. It produces more than 20% of production volume, directly employs more than 120,000 people and at full capacity, produces more than 1.3 million passenger cars per year, which is a new car every 23 seconds (as of 2017).[1] In total, industry accounts for 35% of the Czech economy.[2][3] It also plays a very significant role in Czech exports. In January 2010, machinery and transport equipment accounted for 54.3% of exports. In 2016, 1,351,124 motor vehicles were produced in the Czech Republic, which was 8.2% more year-on-year.[4][5]