Turkey’s car market declines over a quarter

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 5

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The sales of motor cars in Turkey fell to 35,021 vehicles in February this year, a decline of 27.5 percent compared with the same period of 2013, the Turkish Anadolu news agency reported on March 5.

Some 48,307 cars were sold in February 2012, according to the report.

A decrease was observed in the sales of commercial vehicles during the reporting period.

In January-February the sales of commercial vehicles fell by 19.25 percent compared to the same period of 2012, the report said.

For comparison, 67,691 commercial vehicles were sold during the two months of 2014, while 83,830 vehicles were sold in the same period of 2013.

Previously Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Isik said that over 75 percent of motor cars are imported in Turkey from abroad.

He said motor car imports dominate the market despite the fact that Turkey has launched production of motor cars.

The minister stressed that export of cars manufactured in Turkey is currently the country's priority.

In late October 2013, the number of motor vehicles operated in Turkey reached 17,879,453, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK).

The institute said it is 27.4 percent higher than the figures for the same period of 2012.

Some 51.6 percent out of total number of motor vehicles are motor cars, 16.4 percent - trucks, 15.2 percent - motorcycles, 8.7 percent - tractors, 1.3 percent - buses, 6.8 percent - multiple purpose vehicles.

Some 41.5 percent of motor vehicles in Turkey run on liquefied gas, 31.3 percent - gasoline and 26.7 percent - diesel.

Turkey ranks sixth in Europe in terms of motor vehicle production.

The cars of Ford, FIAT, Renault, Toyota, Honda, Opel, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and MAN brands are produced and assembled in Turkey.

Turkey also manufactures domestic brand buses, such as Temsa and Otokar.

Translated by E.A.

Edited by C.N.