April 21 (Reuters) - Car parts supplier OPmobility

reported a 0.4% fall in first-quarter revenue,

excluding currency effects, on Tuesday, as weakness in the

automotive industry took its toll.

The French group said its revenue was 2.83 billion euros

($3.34 billion) in the first three months of 2026, compared with

2.98 billion euros a year ago.

It, however, outperformed the 3.4% decline of global

automotive production, according to S&P Global Mobility

forecasts published this month.

OPmobility's shares fell 1.6% in early trading on the Paris

Stock Exchange.

The revenue decline was driven by a fall in Europe, where it

underperformed the region's automotive production.

"It's essentially linked to the climate, a bit of

uncertainty, and to the delay of some programs that were

supposed to start," OPmobility CEO Félicie Burelle said.

Burelle expects the trend to continue, adding this was

mainly focused on the exteriors business that designs bumpers

and tailgates.

She expects the company's lighting business to benefit from

first launches resulting from the order book build-up since its

acquisition at the end of 2022.

In North America and Asia, OPmobility said it outperformed

the local market's production as it sought to expand to offset

prolonged weaknesses in Europe.

"My personal belief is that the European market will never

return to those previous levels," Burelle said.

OPmobility said it expected to complete the potential

acquisition of a controlling stake in Hyundai Mobis' lighting

business by the end of 2026.

It also aims to finalise the expansion of its Chinese joint

venture YFPO into module assembly and decorative lighting during

the second quarter of the year.

OPmobility said there was no impact from the Iran war during

the quarter and confirmed its full-year forecasts.

"Even in the face of further market weakness, OPmobility

should do well by capitalizing on a robust three-year order

intake," J.P. Morgan said in a note to investors.

($1 = 0.8483 euro)