During the first 9 months of the year, automotive production decreased by 7% compared to the previous year. A total of 1,597,000 units were produced between January and September. During this period, automobile exports approached 27 billion dollars. The Automotive Industry Association (OSD) released production and export market data for the January-September period of the year 2024. According to the report, the total automotive production for the first 9 months of the year reached 1,597,000 units, decreasing by 7% compared to the same period last year. Automobile production also saw a 5% decrease, totaling 657,148 units. When combined with tractor production, the overall production reached 1,036,506 units. In the commercial vehicle category, production declined by 11% compared to the same period last year, 23% in the heavy commercial vehicle category, and 9% in the light commercial vehicle category. The capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry during this period was 69%. On a vehicle basis, capacity utilization rates were 69% for light vehicles, 73% for trucks, 51% for buses and minivans, and 64% for tractors.

EXPORTS APPROACHED 27 BILLION DOLLARS
During the 9-month period of the year, automotive exports remained parallel to the previous year, totaling 729,515 units. Automobile exports decreased by 1% compared to the same period last year, while commercial vehicle exports increased by 1%. Tractor exports saw a 23% decrease, totaling 11,179 units compared to the same period in 2023. According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) data, the total automotive industry exports maintained its top position in the sectoral export rankings with a 16% increase during the first 9 months of the year. According to the Uludağ Exporters’ Associations (UİB) data, total automotive exports for the 9-month period increased by 2% to 26.7 billion dollars compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of euros, exports increased by 1% to 24.5 billion euros. During this period, primary industry exports in dollars increased by 4% and supply industry exports increased by 1%.

TOTAL MARKET SURPASSED 881 THOUSAND UNITS
In the first 9 months of this year, the total market saw a 2% decline compared to the same period last year, reaching 881,442 units. During this period, the automobile market saw a 1% increase, totaling 673,073 units. Looking at the commercial vehicle market, total commercial vehicle and heavy commercial vehicle markets declined by 9% compared to the same period last year, while the light commercial vehicle market decreased by 8%. The share of domestic vehicles in automobile sales for the first 9 months of the year was 29%, while in the light commercial vehicle market, the share of domestic vehicles was 30%.