Turkey’s Car Sales Preferences Revealed: September 2026 Rankings
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has released the motor vehicle registration data for September 2026, revealing the latest trends in the automotive sector. According to the report, the total number of vehicles registered in traffic reached 161,027 during the month, marking an 18% decline compared to the same period last year and a 6.3% decrease from August. As Turkey’s car sales landscape shifts, the data highlights which brands consumers currently prefer and how the national vehicle fleet is evolving. With over 35 million vehicles now officially registered in the country, the automotive market continues to navigate significant economic adjustments and changing consumer demands.
- Total vehicle registrations in Turkey fell by 18% year-on-year during the month of September.
- Renault secured the top position among automobile brands with a 16.1% market share.
- Total registered vehicles across the country surpassed the 35 million mark by the end of September.
- Gasoline and hybrid models dominated the new vehicle registrations during the first nine months of 2026.
Market Leaders Dominate Automotive Sales
In terms of brand popularity, Renault led the market in September with a 16.1% share of new automobile registrations. Domestic manufacturer TOGG followed in second place with a 9.8% share, while Hyundai captured the third spot with 8.6%. The rankings continued with Volkswagen at 7.1%, Toyota at 6.8%, and Mercedes-Benz at 5.3%. Other notable performers included Skoda, Kia, and Peugeot, reflecting a diverse competitive environment where consumers are balancing traditional combustion engines with emerging technology.
Despite the competitive landscape, the overall market experienced a contraction. Sales data from the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association indicates that automobile sales dropped by 27.8% compared to the previous year, totaling 63,736 units. When including light commercial vehicles, the market decline stood at 24.33%. Nevertheless, analysts note that the September figures remain slightly above the five-year average, suggesting the sector is stabilizing after a period of high volatility.
Total National Fleet Surpasses Thirty-Five Million
Turkey’s total registered vehicle fleet has officially crossed the 35 million threshold, reaching 35,065,235 units by the end of September. Automobiles comprise the largest portion of this fleet at 51.7%, followed by motorcycles at 21.9%. The composition of the fleet is slowly changing as hybrid and electric vehicles gain more traction among owners. Currently, 2.7% of all registered automobiles are fully electric, while 5.1% rely on hybrid technology.
Consumer Preferences Shift Toward Efficient Engines
Analyzing the registrations from January through September 2026 reveals a clear preference for efficiency. Among the 665,220 new vehicles registered during this period, 40.8% were gasoline-powered, while 31.8% were hybrids and 18.6% were electric. Diesel vehicles, which were once dominant, now account for only 7.4% of new registrations. Furthermore, vehicles with smaller motor volumes of 1300 cc or less remain the most sought-after choice, capturing a 30.9% market share due to tax advantages and fuel economy.
As the automotive market navigates these shifting trends and economic pressures, we are curious about your perspective on the future of car ownership in Turkey; please share your thoughts on whether you believe the current market contraction will continue in the coming months by leaving a comment below.
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