Newsletters
Türkiye’s passenger car production, exports and domestic sales all declined in the first four months of 2026, with output falling 15% year-on-year to 250,276 units and exports dropping 27% to 142,846 units, according to data from the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD).
The downturn reflected weaker global demand and tighter conditions in the Turkish market, where domestic sales also slipped 5.9% to 290,870 units, according to separate figures from the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD).
April alone also pointed to continued weakness in passenger vehicles. Passenger car production fell 7.4% year-on-year to 68,912 units, while exports dropped 18.3% to 36,507 units during the month. Domestic passenger car sales declined 6.1% to 80,182 units in April.
Overall automotive production slipped 3.4% year-on-year to 448,428 units in the first four months of 2026, although April output rose 5.3% to 126,546 units, driven by stronger commercial vehicle manufacturing.
Production in the commercial vehicle segment jumped 17% during the January-April period, with heavy commercial vehicle output up 20% and light commercial vehicle production rising 17%.
Total vehicle exports from Türkiye fell 9.3% year-on-year to 300,718 units in the first four months, despite a 9.1% increase in April shipments to 85,043 units.
Meanwhile, Türkiye’s combined passenger car and light commercial vehicle market narrowed 3.1% to 369,696 units in the January-April period, even as light commercial vehicle sales expanded 8.8% to 78,826 units.
Despite weaker shipment volumes, automotive export revenue rose 8% year-on-year to $13.5 billion in the first four months of 2026. April automotive export revenue climbed 22.2% to $3.8 billion.
According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly, the automotive industry maintained its position as Türkiye’s top export sector, accounting for 18% of the country’s total exports during the January-April period.
Figures from the Uludag Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association showed passenger car export revenue edged down 3% to $3.5 billion, while main industry exports rose 8% and supplier industry exports increased 7% in dollar terms.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
