Automotive exports in Türkiye increased by 5% on a unit basis in the first 5 months of the year

In the first 5 months of the year, total exports of the automotive industry increased by 5% in terms of units compared to the same period of the previous year and reached 440 thousand 221 units. In this period, commercial vehicle exports increased by 26% while automobile exports decreased by 6%. Tractor exports decreased by 41% to 4 thousand 298 units.

Looking at the total production data, automotive production decreased by 1.4% to 598 thousand 495 units in the first 5 months of the year. Automobile production decreased by 4.3% to 375 thousand 183 units in this period, while total production decreased by 3% to 612 thousand 238 when tractor production is included.

While production in the commercial vehicle group increased by 4% and 7% in light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicle production decreased by 19%. In the same period, the average capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was realized at 68%. On a vehicle group basis, these rates were 69% for light vehicles, 53% for trucks, 62% for buses-midibuses and 44% for tractors.

Automotive industry ranks first again in exports

According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), the automotive industry maintained its leadership in the sectoral export ranking with a 17% share in the first 5 months of 2025. According to data from the Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters' Association, total automotive exports in this period increased by 8% compared to the same period of 2024 and reached USD 16.4 billion. In dollar terms, exports of the main industry increased by 10% and exports of the supply industry by 6%.

3% growth in the domestic market

In the first 5 months of the year, the Turkish automotive market increased by 3% compared to the same period of the previous year and reached 506 thousand 592 units. Automobile sales increased by 5% in this period and reached 394 thousand 327 units. While there was a 4% contraction in the commercial vehicle market, the heavy commercial vehicle market decreased by 13% and the light commercial vehicle market by 2%.

The share of domestic vehicles in the domestic market was recorded as 31% in the automobile segment, 20% in light commercial vehicles and 63% in heavy commercial vehicles.