The First Four Months of the Automotive Industry in 2025: Production, Exports and Domestic Vehicle Share
The year 2025 stands out as an important period for the automotive industry. Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), announced the data for the first four months of 2025, and these data reveal the changes and developments in the sector. There was a 2% decrease in total production compared to the same period last year, and this figure was recorded as 464 thousand 290 units. This situation is a critical indicator for understanding the dynamics of the sector.
Production Figures and Vehicle Groups
Car production decreased by 2% compared to the first four months of last year, reaching 295 units. Tractor production Total production was 475 units. During this period, production in the commercial vehicle group decreased by 212%, in the heavy commercial vehicle group by 3% and in the light commercial vehicle group by 25%. These data show the declines experienced in different segments of the market.
Commercial Vehicle Market and Downsizing Trends
Compared to the first four months of 2024, the commercial vehicle market has shrunk by 6%, the heavy commercial vehicle market by 12% and the light commercial vehicle market by 5%. These rates reveal the importance of commercial vehicles in the market and the increasing competition. This shrinkage in the sector is shaped by the impact of global economic conditions and consumer demands.
Export Figures: Balance and Changes
In the first four months of the year, total automotive exports were parallel to the same period of the previous year in terms of units, while automobile exports decreased by 6%. During this period, total exports were 333 units, while automobile exports were 351 units. Automotive exports, plays an important role in Türkiye's economic growth and these figures are of critical importance in ensuring balance in the sector.
Market Size and Domestic Vehicle Share
In the first four months of 2025, the total market increased by 2% compared to the same period last year and closed at 395 units. During this period, the automobile market also increased by 025% and reached 5 units. This data shows that domestic production is strengthening and consumers are turning to domestic vehicles. In addition, the share of domestic vehicles in automobile sales in the January-April period of 309 was 204% and 2025% in the light commercial vehicle market.
Capacity Utilization Rate and Transformation in the Sector
The capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was 66%. Capacity utilization rates on a vehicle group basis were recorded as 67% in light vehicles (cars + light commercial vehicles), 49% in the truck group, 60% in the bus-midibus group and 44% in tractors. These rates show how effectively the production capacity in the sector is used.
Sectoral Distribution of Exports
In the first four months of the year, automotive exports were parallel to the same period of the previous year in terms of units and were realized as 333 thousand 351 units. During this period, automobile exports decreased by 6% compared to the same period of the previous year, while commercial vehicle exports increased by 9%. Tractor exports decreased by 2024% compared to the same period of 41 and were recorded as 3 thousand 422 units. According to the data of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, total automotive industry exports ranked first in the sectoral export ranking with 2025% in the first four months of 17.
Future Vision: Transformation of the Sector and Innovative Steps
The automotive sector is entering a transformation process with the changes experienced on a global scale. The increase in electric and hybrid vehicles increases competition in the sector and encourages manufacturers to find innovative solutions. Therefore, the future of the automotive industry in Türkiye is directly related to the ability to integrate into this transformation process.
As a result, 2025 stands out as a critical period for the automotive sector, and indicators such as production, exports, and domestic vehicle share clearly reveal that the dynamics in the sector have changed. In light of this data, actors in the sector need to review their strategies and take innovative steps.
