Automotive Industry Exports Reach $2.78 Billion

According to a statement from the Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association (OİB), Turkey's automotive industry exports in January reached USD 2 billion 779 million 940 thousand, representing a 2.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The industry, which ranks first in Turkey's exports, accounted for 16.2 percent of sectoral exports. In January, the highest foreign sales were recorded in the "supply industry" product group at USD 1 billion 171 million, representing a 3 percent increase compared to the same month last year. "Passenger car" exports declined 13 percent to USD 772 million 898 thousand, "goods transport motor vehicles" exports increased 27 percent to USD 504 million 667 thousand, "bus-minibus-midibus" exports rose 61 percent to USD 160 million 712 thousand, while "tractors" exports fell 10 percent to USD 139 million 897 thousand.

Germany is the largest market

Germany was the largest market by country with USD 417 million in exports. The United Kingdom was the second largest market with USD 333 million in exports. Automotive exports to this country increased 11 percent compared to last year. Exports to France, the third largest market, fell 4 percent to USD 272 million. Last month, significant export increases were recorded to Italy at 31 percent, Slovenia at 19 percent, Romania at 19 percent, Morocco at 39 percent, Portugal at 41 percent and Algeria at 424 percent. European Union countries ranked first by country group last month with a 67.5 percent share and USD 1 billion 877 million. Exports to EU countries increased 1 percent. Exports to the "Other European Countries" group increased 12 percent and to the "African Countries" group increased 35 percent.

OİB Management Board Chairman Baran Çelik made the following assessment on the matter:

"At the start of the year, we reached the highest January exports in sector history. Goods transport motor vehicles and bus-minibus-midibus exports increased double digits. We recorded high growth rates to Italy, Slovenia and Romania." Source