Automotive Exports Declined In Turkey During The First Quarter

Automotive exports declined in Turkey during the first quarter of the year. During this period, exports decreased by 6 percent.

Automotive Industry Association (OSD) announced the production, export numbers and market data for the January-March 2021 period. According to the data announced, in the first quarter of the year, total vehicle production increased by 1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and reached 345,619 units, while automobile production decreased by 10 percent to 211,877. Along with the tractor production, the total production was recorded as 360,766 units. In the January-March period, the total capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was 70 percent. On the basis of vehicle group, capacity utilization was recorded as 70 percent in light vehicles (automobile + light commercial vehicle), 56 percent in heavy commercial vehicles and 80 percent in tractors. The production of the automotive industry in March increased by 19.4 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 123 thousand 457 units, and automobile production increased by 4 percent to 74 thousand 995 units. In the first 3 months, when total production increased compared to the previous year, the commercial vehicle group made a significant contribution to this increase. In the first quarter of the year, commercial vehicle production rose 26 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase was recorded as 46 percent in the heavy commercial vehicle group and 25 percent in the light commercial vehicle group. In the first quarter of 2021, total vehicle exports decreased by 6 percent on the basis of units compared to the same period of 2020 and reached 261,109 units.