The Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD) has released production data for the January-July 2025 period. According to the data, automobile production in Turkey decreased by 4% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, reaching 521,447 units. Although automobile production increased slightly by 1% in July, the downward trend continued throughout the year.
Automobile Production in Turkey Decreased by 4%
Total automotive production increased by 1% in the same period, reaching 834,838 units. Including tractor production, this figure reached 853,376 units. In July, total production increased by 10% compared to the same month of the previous year.
The commercial vehicle group played a significant role in this increase. Commercial vehicle production increased by 31% in July, and this increase was attributed primarily to the strong production pace in the light commercial vehicle group.
Total production in the commercial vehicle group increased by 11% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year, with a 14% increase in light commercial vehicles. In contrast, heavy commercial vehicle production declined by 9% during the same period. This suggests that growth in the sector is primarily driven by the light segment.
According to OSD data, the automotive industry’s total capacity utilization rate stood at 67% in the first seven months of the year. When examining capacity utilization by vehicle group, the light vehicle group, encompassing cars and light commercial vehicles, saw a 69% capacity utilization rate. Trucks, buses, and minibuses saw 56% capacity utilization, buses and minibuses 64%, and tractor production 42%.
While the automotive sector remains one of the largest sectors of the Turkish economy in terms of both production and exports, this decline in automobile production reveals a picture reflecting the combined impact of numerous variables, including domestic market demand, foreign market balances, global logistics, and supply chain impacts. The increase in commercial vehicle production indicates continued dynamism in some segments of the sector.
