Turkey’s car production fell by 55pc in May to 43,264 units from 96,345 units in May 2019. Total auto production for May stood at 63,145 units from 136,513 units produced in May a year prior, revealed latest auto report released by Turkey’s Automotive Manufacturing Association (OSD).
From January to May, 288,133 car units were produced while in the same period last year 418,626 units were produced, portraying a decline of 31pc. Similarly, total auto production plunged 33pc to 415,454 units between January to May from 625,942 units produced in the year ago period. Covid-19 has hurt production and sales of the auto sector in April and May, pulling down the consolidated figures for the five months, said the automotive association.
Total exports by auto manufacturers fell to 33,098 units between January to May from 544,422 units exported in the year prior. Passenger car exports fell by 34.6pc to 232,781 units from 356,200 units the year prior. The country exported more than 80pc of manufactured vehicles, yet exports declined as most overseas markets were under lockdown.
Turkey is one of the world’s top auto sales market with global automakers like Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota having manufacturing factories in the country. In May, Turkey’s car sales fell by 2.1pc to 33,245 units from 33,947 sold in the year prior, however, sales between January to May jumped 20pc to 189,118 units from a year ago period.