Turkish automobile production drops, imported car sales surge in 2024: Report
File photo shows robotic arms assemble vehicle frames on an automated production line at an automotive factory, in Türkiye. (AA Photo)
Domestic automobile production dropped, and sales of imported models surged during the first 11 months of 2024, a report by the Turkish Automotive Industry Association (OSD) revealed.
Türkiye is a significant player in global automotive manufacturing, with the sector maintaining its position as the country’s top export for 16 consecutive years.
As a key pillar of the Turkish economy, the automotive industry drives exports, employment, and research and development (R&D). The OSD’s latest report highlighted production figures, export performance, and market data for the January-November 2024 period.
According to the report, in the first 11 months of the year, total automotive production decreased by 8% compared to the same period of the previous year and reached 1.24 million units. Automobile production, on the other hand, decreased by 6% to 822,361 units.
Including tractor production, total output reached 1.28 million units in the first 11 months of 2024. During this period, production in the commercial vehicle segment dropped by 12% compared to the same timeframe in 2023, with a 25% decline in heavy commercial vehicles and a 10% decrease in light commercial vehicles.
Domestic auto production losing steam
- In the January-November period of 2024, as automobile sales increased by 0.6%, the share of imports in the automobile market was 70%.
- While imported car sales increased by 4%, domestic car sales decreased by 7%.
Imports maintain position in commercial category
In the January-November period of 2024:
- The share of imports in the light commercial vehicle, minibus and pickup truck, market reached 72%.
- Total light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 4% compared to the same period of 2023, domestic light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 44%, and imported light commercial vehicle sales increased by 30%.
- Compared to the first 11 months of 2023, the commercial vehicle market decreased by 5%, the heavy commercial vehicle market by 10%, and the light commercial vehicle market by 4%.
