In a world increasingly driven by automation and electrification, the global trade in electric motors is both a barometer and a driver of industrial change. For economists, policymakers, and industry strategists, understanding the movement of these products in 2018 and 2019 requires more than simply scanning export tallies. ISIC 2710—covering the manufacture of electric motors—offers a structured way to dig deeper, especially when paired with the right mix of customs data and firm-level trade declarations.
The starting point is clear: identify all firms coded under ISIC 2710 within a given jurisdiction. National business registries, industry association lists, and even patent filings can help paint a complete picture of the supply side. From there, the real work begins—tracking the outbound flow of goods these firms produce.
Customs data is the primary resource here, offering detailed records on exported electric motors, typically reported by value, weight, and destination country. Analysts match these records to the ISIC 2710 roster, filtering for relevant tariff codes (often at the HS or national subheading level) to ensure they’re capturing the right products. Discrepancies between firm locations and customs filings are worth investigating: sometimes a manufacturer exports directly, other times through a third-party trading company or logistics provider.
To sharpen the analysis, firm-level trade declarations become critical. In many countries, large exporters are required to file detailed export reports—including information on product specifications, contract terms, and sometimes end-user details. Merging this granular data with customs export tallies lets analysts see not just where the motors go, but which firms are driving the numbers, which technologies are in play, and how product mix is evolving. Patterns of repeat shipments, diversification of markets, or abrupt shifts in volume can all be flagged and studied.
The synthesis doesn’t stop at numbers. Overlaying export data with macroeconomic and policy trends—such as trade agreements, tariff changes, or shifts in automotive or appliance manufacturing—adds explanatory power. Did a surge in electric vehicle demand in Europe pull more exports from Asia? Did new energy efficiency standards reshape product lines and target markets?
As with all trade analysis, the process has its limits. Small or informal producers may not appear in official registries, and not all customs data is created equal—coverage, frequency, and detail vary by country. Still, using ISIC 2710 as a guidepost brings much-needed rigor, especially when analysts move beyond the headline numbers to ask who, how, and why behind each exported motor.
What stands out from this approach is the way detailed tracking can illuminate both the resilience and fragility of global supply chains. By seeing which firms expanded exports, which found new markets, and which pulled back or vanished altogether, policymakers and industry leaders gain a nuanced view—one that is less about total volume and more about the composition and direction of change. In a sector as foundational as electric motors, such clarity isn’t just valuable; it’s essential for staying ahead of the next industrial turn.