Turkey’s auto sales slightly down in first two months of 2018

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s automotive sales in the first two months of the year declined 0.25 percent compared to the same period in 2017 due to a sharp decline in light commercial vehicle sales, the Automotive Distributors’ Association (ODD) stated on March 2. 

A total of 82,085 automotive units, namely cars and light commercial vehicles, were sold in the first two months of this year. 

Car sales reached 65,512 units in the first two months of the year, a 3.59 percent increase compared to the same period of 2017. The sales of light commercial vehicles, however, saw a 10.79 percent decline to 19,573 units. 

Nearly 47,009 units were sold in February with a 0.09 percent year-on-year increase, according to ODD data. While 35,901 cars were sold in February with a 3.59 percent annual increase, some 11,108 units of light commercial vehicles were sold with a 9.74 percent year-on-year decrease. 

According to the figures, nearly 83.5 percent of the overall automobile sales were in the A (mini), B (entry), and C (compact) segments with relatively lower tax burdens, while the rest were in the D (medium), E (luxury), and F (upper luxury) segments. 

The association said the C segment car sales ranked first with a share of around 58 percent (36,109 vehicles) while the most preferred body types in January-February period were sedan, hatchback, and SUV, which constituted nearly 95 percent of overall car sales. 

Considering the whole auto market in Turkey - a total of 82,085 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sales -- Renault was the top brand with 12,507 sales in the January-February period, followed by Volkswagen and Fiat with 9,406 and 9,289 sales respectively. 

Ford was the fourth top brand (8,245 sales) and Hyundai stood at fifth place (5,211 sales) during the same period. 

According to the association, the domestic production’s share in overall sales was around 38 percent, with the rest directly imported from abroad.