Turkey automotive market sees shift toward electric and hybrid vehicles

The Turkish automotive market is experiencing a significant shift in consumer preferences and a general contraction in sales. Data from the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD) shows that between January and September 2026, automobile sales fell by 15.45% to 627,977 units, while light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 5.12% to 175,488 units.

Despite the overall market slump, electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining substantial ground. These electrified models accounted for 51.9% of the total market share during the first nine months of the year. Specifically, hybrid vehicles reached a 32.6% market share, while fully electric models held 19.3%. This trend is driven by rising fuel costs for gasoline and diesel engines, as well as improving battery technology and expanding charging infrastructure. As of July 2026, there are approximately 47,000 charging sockets in Turkey.

Industry experts note that while the rise in electric vehicle numbers—reaching 465,000 by July 2026—brings new challenges such as fire safety concerns related to lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, it also presents economic advantages for high-mileage users. Companies are responding to these safety needs with specialized solutions like fire blankets designed for electric vehicle fires.