Automotive Industry Export Revenue Increased While Production and Domestic Market Contracted

According to the data for the January-August 2026 period announced by the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), total automotive production and the domestic market experienced a contraction while foreign currency-based export revenues recorded an increase.

Production and Unit Data

According to Automotive Manufacturers Association data, total automotive production in the January-August period declined by 7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year to 841,583 units. Automobile production decreased by 19 percent down to 458,169 units.

In the same period, a 12 percent production increase was recorded in the commercial vehicle group, while there was an increase of 12 percent in light commercial vehicle production and 7 percent in heavy commercial vehicle production.

Export Developments

In the first eight months of the year, automotive exports declined by 12 percent in terms of units, realizing as 597,594 units. While automobile exports decreased by 28 percent, commercial vehicle exports showed an increase of 9 percent.

Despite the decline in unit terms, according to Turkish Exporters Assembly data, total automotive exports increased by 2.5 percent, rising to 27.2 billion dollars.

Domestic Market Situation

In the January-August period, the total automotive market declined by 12 percent compared to the same period of the previous year to the level of 745,597 units.

While the automobile market dropped by 14 percent down to 564,241 units, a 5 percent contraction was also recorded in the commercial vehicle market.

Capacity Utilization

The general capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry in the first eight months of the year materialized at the level of 59 percent.

Capacity utilization rates were 60 percent in light vehicles, 57 percent in the truck group, 67 percent in the bus-midibus group, and 27 percent in tractors.