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Türkiye’s automotive sector is on track to surpass 1.35 million units in total sales for 2025, marking a 9% increase from 2024, defying tight financial conditions even as the industry braces for a more moderate outlook ahead, according to sector representatives.
Preliminary figures indicate that sales momentum peaked in December, with nearly 195,000 vehicles sold, marking the highest monthly total ever recorded in the country and reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 17% from December 2024.
Official data released this month showed that total sales between January and November rose by 10.16% from the previous year, reaching 1.176 million units.
In a market historically reliant on financing, the 2025 sales boom was driven largely by cash purchases.
Over 70% of all vehicle sales were completed without financing, with some segments reaching 80%, largely attributed to both constrained access to credit and consumer preference for converting gains from foreign exchange, gold and interest-bearing accounts into vehicle purchases.
Alp Gulan, Chairman of Gulan Automotive, which represents brands including Nissan, Renault, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Citroen and BYD, said December sales exceeded expectations.
"Campaigns, deferred demand, and developments in the gold market significantly supported sales," Gulan told business-focused ekonomim.com. "Those who profited from gold and interest turned to car purchases."
Gulan noted some supply-side constraints in December due to customs delays and shipping disruptions. "Had these vehicles arrived on time, 200,000-unit monthly sales could have been easily achieved," he added.
While 2025 marked another record-breaking year, projections for 2026 suggest a more tempered outlook.
Opel Türkiye Brand Director Yigit Yantac said the sector’s expansion is expected to slow, estimating the 2026 market will settle at around 1.3 million units. His counterpart at Citroen Türkiye, Bora Duran, echoed this forecast.
ODMD President Ali Haydar Bozkurt acknowledged the December performance but cautioned that future volumes may not match recent peaks.
“Historically, December is the busiest month, as all brands offer their most attractive campaigns to meet annual targets,” Bozkurt said. “We anticipate the year will close at around 1.35 million units.”
On 2026 prospects, Bozkurt remarked: “According to economists, the first half of 2026 will resemble the continuation of 2025. The second half will require close monitoring of global developments and economic indicators. It’s too early for certainty, but we expect 2026 to come in slightly below the record volumes seen in 2025.”
Industry executives also warn that the momentum from December 2025 may not carry into early 2026 without price adjustments.
Due to the transition to the new model year and exchange rate fluctuations, sector players expect a price hike starting in January, likely to apply to both remaining 2024 models and incoming 2025 stock.
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