Yearly auto production rise by 37% in August
In a notable development, Turkey's automotive sector has shown significant growth in the first eight months of 2025. According to data released by the Automotive Manufacturers' Association (OSD) on September 15, 2025, the total automotive output for the period rose by 4% compared to the same period in the previous year, reaching an impressive 908,238 units.
The growth in production was not limited to passenger vehicles alone. The production of passenger vehicles in August 2025 saw a striking 46.4% increase, totaling more than 43,000 units. This surge was followed by a 37% increase in total auto production in August, reaching 73,299 units.
The commercial vehicle sector also experienced growth, with a 13% increase in output in the first eight months, totaling 343,756 units. Commercial vehicle exports surged 29% during the same period.
However, the production of heavy commercial vehicles saw a 6% decrease in the first eight months, while light commercial vehicle production increased by 15%. No specific data was provided for the production of light commercial vehicles in August 2025.
The utilization rates for various vehicle categories were as follows: light vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial) were utilized at 65%, tractors at 40%, buses and midibuses at 64%, trucks at 54%, and the overall industry capacity utilization rate for the January-August period was 64%.
The total automotive export value for the first eight months reached a substantial $26.1 billion. Passenger car exports in dollar terms were up 11% to $7.5 billion, while passenger car production saw a 1% decrease, totaling 564,482 units. Unfortunately, passenger car exports fell 6% in the first eight months.
The economic success of Turkish car production in the first half of 2024, which led to a 4% increase in overall production, is attributed to various factors. While the responsible party is not explicitly named, BYD Auto, a company known for its innovative production processes that enable cost-effective manufacturing, announced a plant in Turkey in July 2024, likely contributing to this growth.
This positive trend in the automotive sector is a promising sign for Turkey's economic growth and could attract further investment in the industry.
