Automotive Supplier Industry Reaches $9.47 Billion in Exports in 7 Months

Türkiye's automotive supplier industry increased its exports by 4.7 percent in the first 7 months of 2026, reaching 9 billion 473 million dollars. In the same period, total automotive production declined by 8.1 percent to 767 thousand 216 units, while the decline in automobile production stood at 18.6 percent. TAYSAD drew attention to the importance of efficiency, technology investments and integration with Europe for the sector to maintain its competitiveness in the face of slowing global demand, rising production costs and changing trade policies.

Türkiye's automotive supplier industry managed to increase its export performance in the first 7 months of 2026, despite the transformation and uncertainties experienced in the global automotive sector.

While geopolitical developments, changing trade policies, the slowdown in the European market, the transition to electric vehicles and the restructuring of global supply chains affected the sector's activities, rising labor and production costs continued to put pressure on the competitiveness of exporting companies.

Yakup Birinci, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Automotive Parts & Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD), noted in his assessment of the first 7 months of the year that the supplier industry's increased exports despite the decline in production indicated that the sector maintained its position in global markets.

Production declined, supplier industry increased its exports
According to OSD and OİB data, Türkiye's total automotive production in the first 7 months of 2026 decreased by 8.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 767 thousand 216 units. In the same period, automobile production fell by 18.6 percent to 424 thousand 667 units.

In contrast, total automotive exports increased by 2.4 percent to 24 billion 423 million dollars, while automotive supplier industry exports rose by 4.7 percent to 9 billion 473 million dollars.

TAYSAD Chairman of the Board of Directors Yakup Birinci noted that, despite this export performance, the change in the cost structure has become an important competitiveness issue for the sector, and stated the following:

"It is important that our supplier industry has increased its exports despite the decline in production. However, the widening gap between the exchange rate and inflation, and the increase in production costs, particularly labor costs, are making it increasingly difficult for our companies to maintain their competitiveness in international markets. We attach importance to the exchange rate remaining at a level that supports the competitiveness of exporting sectors, and to steps being taken to reduce cost pressure."

Birinci stated that as TAYSAD, they continue to share the sector's expectations regarding competitiveness with relevant ministries and public institutions.

Competitiveness in the global supply chain is being reshaped
In addition to the transition to electric and connected vehicles in the automotive sector, the transformation in production technologies is also bringing about the restructuring of supply chains.

Noting that the slowdown in the European economy and demand shifts in main export markets are being closely monitored, Birinci stated that in order for Türkiye's automotive supplier industry to strengthen its position in the global value chain, technology and efficiency capacity need to be developed as much as production capability.

"In order to be able to secure new projects in the coming period, maintain our current position, and strengthen our place in the global supply chain, we need to have a more agile, resilient and competitive structure. To this end, we will continue to develop our technological competence, production capability and efficiency."

Noting that Türkiye's strong production infrastructure, engineering competence and experience in global supply chains offer significant advantages, Birinci said that transforming these advantages into sustainable competitiveness is one of the priority items on the agenda.

Request for a comprehensive approach for Türkiye on the Made in EU agenda
The strong integration of Türkiye's automotive supplier industry with the European automotive value chain continues to be one of the topics on the sector's agenda.

TAYSAD continues its contacts in Ankara and Brussels together with OİB and OSD, with the aim of ensuring that the Made in EU approach is handled in a way that includes Türkiye as well.

Birinci stated that they have held meetings with relevant public institutions, European Union institutions and leading organizations of the European automotive sector, and said the following:

"We are conducting comprehensive contacts with OİB and OSD in Ankara and Brussels in order to form an approach that will preserve our sector's strong integration with Europe and its global competitiveness. We have also included TAYSAD's official opinion in the process through the EU Commission's 'Have Your Say' platform. We encourage our members to actively participate in this process as well."

Noting that TAYSAD's main goal is to preserve Türkiye's strategic position in the European automotive value chain and production-supply integration, Birinci stated that including Türkiye in an inclusive Made in EU approach is also important for Europe's supply chain security and industrial resilience.

Technology and efficiency investments gain importance in the supplier industry
The transformation in the automotive sector necessitates the development of product and production technologies in the supplier industry. Electrification, digitalization, connected vehicle technologies and next-generation mobility solutions require suppliers to develop their technological competencies.

In line with its "TAYSAD 5.0: Agile, Resilient, Competitive" vision, TAYSAD carries out efforts to help its members adapt to this transformation, increase efficiency in production processes and develop their global competitiveness.

About TAYSAD
The Association of Automotive Parts & Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD) was founded in 1978 by 14 entrepreneurs as the umbrella organization of the Turkish automotive supplier industry.

Operating with the vision of "TAYSAD 5.0: Agile, Resilient, Competitive," TAYSAD contributes to the development of Türkiye's automotive supplier industry with more than 540 members, a business volume of 30 billion dollars, exports of 15 billion 800 million dollars, employment of over 250 thousand, and 182 R&D and Design Centers.

132 members of TAYSAD have more than 320 investments in 41 countries. TAYSAD, a member of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 certifications.