The frontrunner is the automotive industry: companies in the USA, Canada and Mexico from this segment installed 20,391 industrial robots - an increase of 30 percent compared to 2021. These are preliminary results of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

In the US, demand from auto and component manufacturers for industrial robots increased by 48 percent in 2022. The well-known cyclical demand pattern from this customer segment can be seen here. Starting from a peak of 15,397 units in 2017, a few years of decline followed with a level of 9,854 units in 2021. In 2022, installations increased to 14,594 units.

In Canada, the business largely depends on investment by the automotive industry - the market share accounts for 40 percent of robot installations. Sales to the automotive industry fell by 36 percent in 2022 and stood at 1,258 units installed. That's below the pre-pandemic level of 1,897 units in 2019. Robotic installations manufacturing automotive parts and accessories fell significantly, by 45 percent, in 2022 with 995 units sold. In the area of ​​motor vehicles, engines and bodies, on the other hand, sales increased by 99 percent with 263 units sold.

The robot installations in Mexico are also driven by the automotive industry - the market share of this segment was 66 percent in 2022. Sales rose 16 percent to reach 4,222 units - the second-best result since a peak of 4,805 units in record year 2017.