Automotive Industry Association (OSD) announced the first quarter data of 2026. Total production decreased by 7 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 321 thousand 856 units. Automobile production, which decreased by 18 percent compared to the same month last year, reached 181 thousand 364 units. Total production, including tractor production, was 327 thousand 16 units. In the commercial vehicle group, production increased by 14 percent in the first quarter, by 20 percent in the heavy commercial vehicle group, and by 13 percent in the light commercial vehicle group. Compared to the first three months of 2025, the commercial vehicle market grew by 3 percent and the light commercial vehicle market grew by 4 percent, while the heavy commercial vehicle market decreased by 6 percent. In the first quarter of the year, total automotive exports decreased by 15 percent in terms of units and automobile exports decreased by 29 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. During this period, total exports were 215 thousand 323 units and automobile exports were 106 thousand 341 units. In the first quarter of 2026, the total market closed at 274 thousand 346 units, decreasing by 4 percent compared to the same period last year. During this period, the automobile market reached 210 thousand 688 units with a decrease of 6 percent.
Automotive Industry Association (OSD), which is the umbrella organization of the sector with its 13 members guiding the Turkish automotive industry, announced production and export figures and market data for the first quarter of 2026. Accordingly, in the January-March period, total automotive production decreased by 7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, decreasing to 321 thousand 856 units. Automobile production, on the other hand, decreased by 18 percent and amounted to 181 thousand 364 units. Including tractor production, total production reached 327 thousand 16 units. In the first quarter of the year, commercial vehicle production increased by 14 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. During this period, production grew by 20 percent in the heavy commercial vehicle group and 13 percent in the light commercial vehicle group. During this period, the capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was 60 percent. Capacity utilization rates on a vehicle group basis were 62 percent in light vehicles (cars + light commercial vehicles), 57 percent in the truck group, 69 percent in the bus-midibus group and 28 percent in the tractor.
Exports amounted to 9.9 billion dollars in the first quarter!
In the first quarter of the year, automotive exports decreased by 15 percent in terms of units compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 215 thousand 323 units. During this period, automobile exports decreased by 29 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, while commercial vehicle exports increased by 5 percent. Tractor exports increased by 12 percent compared to the same period in 2025, reaching 2 thousand 835 units. According to the data of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, total automotive industry exports were at the top of the sectoral export rankings with 18 percent in the first quarter of 2026. According to the data of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, total automotive exports in January-March 2026 increased by 3 percent compared to 2025 and reached 9.9 billion dollars. During this period, according to Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association (OİB) data, main industry exports increased by 3 percent and supply industry exports increased by 4 percent in dollar terms.
Automobile Magazine – English
