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Turkey’s Auto Industry Navigates a Complex Year: Production Dips, Sales Soar, and Exports Hold Steady in 2024
Tokyo, Japan – July 9, 2025 – The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has released a comprehensive report detailing the performance of Turkey’s vital automotive industry in 2024. The findings reveal a dynamic year characterized by a significant decrease in production, a robust increase in domestic sales, and a modest uptick in exports. This report offers valuable insights into the underlying economic factors and market shifts that shaped Turkey’s automotive landscape.
Production Faces a Downward Trend
In 2024, Turkey’s automotive production experienced a notable decline of 7%. This contraction in output signals a challenging environment for manufacturers operating within the country. Several factors likely contributed to this slowdown.
- Global Supply Chain Disruptions: While the immediate global supply chain crises of previous years may have eased, lingering effects, such as component shortages or price volatility for key materials like semiconductors and raw metals, could have continued to impact production schedules.
- Rising Production Costs: Increased energy prices, labor costs, and the cost of imported components can put pressure on manufacturers, potentially leading to adjustments in production volumes.
- Shifting Global Demand: Changes in international demand for specific vehicle models or types could have led Turkish manufacturers to scale back production of certain lines.
Despite the overall dip, it’s important to note that the Turkish automotive industry is a significant global player. This production decrease, while impactful, may represent a recalibration rather than a fundamental collapse, especially considering the strong performance in domestic sales.
Domestic Sales Surge: A Strong Consumer Appetite
In stark contrast to the production figures, Turkey’s automotive sales experienced a substantial 6% increase in 2024. This surge in demand from domestic consumers highlights a resilient and growing market. Several factors likely fueled this positive sales trend:
- Pent-up Demand: Following potential economic uncertainties or supply limitations in previous periods, consumers may have been eager to make new vehicle purchases, leading to a backlog of demand being met.
- Economic Recovery and Consumer Confidence: If Turkey’s broader economy showed signs of stability or growth in 2024, it would likely translate into increased consumer confidence and a greater willingness to spend on larger purchases like vehicles.
- Attractive Financing and Incentives: Manufacturers and dealerships may have offered competitive financing options, discounts, or special promotions to stimulate sales, further boosting consumer interest.
- New Model Launches and Popularity: The introduction of popular new models or updates to existing lines could have captured consumer attention and driven sales.
The robust domestic sales performance suggests that Turkey remains an attractive market for automotive consumption, even amidst production challenges.
Exports Show Modest Growth
The export segment of Turkey’s automotive industry saw a slight increase in 2024. While not as dramatic as the domestic sales growth, this positive trend in exports is crucial for a sector that relies heavily on international markets.
- Diversified Export Markets: Turkey exports vehicles and automotive parts to a wide range of countries. A slight increase in overall exports could indicate strong demand from specific key markets, offsetting weaker performance in others.
- Competitive Pricing and Quality: Turkish-made vehicles and components are often known for their competitive pricing and quality, making them attractive to international buyers.
- Strategic Trade Agreements: Existing trade agreements with various regions and countries would continue to facilitate Turkish automotive exports.
- Adaptability of Manufacturers: The ability of Turkish manufacturers to adapt their product lines and pricing to meet the demands of different export markets would have played a role in this modest growth.
Implications and Outlook
The 2024 performance of Turkey’s automotive sector presents a mixed but ultimately encouraging picture. The production decrease is a challenge that manufacturers will need to address, likely through efforts to secure supply chains, manage costs, and optimize production strategies. However, the strong growth in domestic sales indicates a healthy underlying demand that provides a solid foundation for the industry. The steady export performance further underscores Turkey’s position as a significant player in the global automotive supply chain.
Looking ahead, the Turkish automotive industry will likely focus on:
- Enhancing Production Efficiency: Finding ways to mitigate the impact of rising costs and supply chain vulnerabilities will be crucial for increasing production volumes.
- Sustaining Domestic Demand: Continued efforts to understand and cater to the evolving needs and preferences of Turkish consumers will be vital for maintaining sales momentum.
- Strengthening Export Competitiveness: Exploring new markets, investing in R&D for innovative and sustainable vehicles, and maintaining competitive pricing will be key to further boosting exports.
- Focus on Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: As global trends shift towards electrification, Turkish manufacturers will need to accelerate their efforts in developing and producing electric and hybrid vehicles to remain competitive internationally.
The insights from JETRO’s report provide a valuable snapshot of the Turkish automotive industry’s resilience and its ability to adapt to evolving economic conditions. The sector’s capacity to leverage strong domestic demand while navigating production challenges and maintaining export presence will be critical for its continued success in the years to come.
2024年の生産は7%減ながら販売は6%増、輸出は微増(トルコ)
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-07-09 15:00, ‘2024年の生産は7%減ながら販売は6%増、輸出は微増(トルコ)’ was published according to 日本貿易振興機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.