ANKARA: Turkish auto production increased 20 percent year on year to 869,158 vehicles during the first half, with output increased 8 percent to 141,161 vehicles in June, Turkey’s automotive manufacturers body informed. Domestic automotive sales, consisting both automobiles, light and heavy industrial vehicles dropped 9 percent to 410,609 units in the first half as last 2016’s tax boosts and forex induced price boosts continued to put pressure on markets. Turkey’s auto exports jumped 29 percent to 714,284 units, led by a 48 percent increase in car exports as producers continued to increase the output of export oriented models.
Turkey’s Automotive Industry Association likewise upped its year-end production projection to 1.7 million vehicles from 1.65 million. Year-end automotive exports, the most significant contributor to national exports, were found at 1.4 million units, with an approximate worth of 28 billion dollars the industry association stated. Worldwide manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Ford and Fiat Chrysler run their plants in Turkey as export hubs, with only part of the production sold in the regional market.
