The Automotive Distributors Association (ODD) disclosed that sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Turkey were 43,728 units in January 2021, an increase of 60.3% on the figure for the same month of the previous year. Sales of cars increased 60.6% to 35,358 units, and sales of light commercial vehicles increased 59.2% to 8,370 units in January 2021 compared with the same month of the previous year. In January 2021, sales of diesel automobiles were 27.5% and sales of automatic gearbox automobiles were 80%. Of commercial vehicle sales, 6,258 (74.8%) vans, 1,074 (12.8%) light trucks, 264 (3.2%) minibuses, and 774 (9.2%) pick-up trucks were sold.
Though automotive sales continue to surpass sales for the same period of the previous year, it is expected that sales will gradually fall over the coming months as the Turkish government’s tighter monetary policy drains demand. Interest rates were increased by the Turkish Central Bank in November and December 2020, raising the rate to 17%. The cost of loans from banks has risen accordingly.
In 2020, sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Turkey were 772,788 units, 61.3% higher than the figure for the previous year of 2019. Sales of cars increased 57.6% to 610,109 units, and sales of light commercial vehicles increased 77.2% to 162,679 units. In 2020, sales of diesel automobiles were 39.5% and sales of automatic gearbox automobiles were 71.5%. Of commercial vehicle sales, 125,038 (76.9%) vans, 18,708 (11.5%) light trucks, 7,961 (4.9%) minibuses, and 10,972 (6.7%) pick-up trucks were sold.
In 2019, sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Turkey were 479,060 units, 22.9% lower than the figure for the previous year. Sales of cars decreased 20.4% to 387,256 units, and sales of light commercial vehicles decreased 31.8% to 91,804 units. Sales in 2019 of diesel automobiles were 52% and sales of automatic gearbox automobiles were 66.5%. Of commercial vehicle sales, 66,704 (72.7%) vans, 10,838 (11.8%) light trucks, 7,203 (7.8%) minibuses, and 7,059 (7.7%) pick-up trucks were sold.
Click here for report (Turkish)