Türkiye car sales and EU market share decline

Türkiye remains Europe’s sixth-largest passenger car market despite a 15.45 percent year-on-year decline in sales during the first nine months of 2026. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD), the country sold 627,977 units, marking the steepest decline among Europe’s ten largest passenger car markets.

While the broader European car market grew by 6.3 percent, Türkiye’s performance diverged from major markets like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, all of which recorded growth. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in Türkiye also fell, despite the country maintaining its sixth-place ranking in Europe for the segment with 120,329 units sold.

In addition to the automotive contraction, Türkiye is experiencing a loss of competitiveness within the European Union. While EU imports of motor vehicles rose by 10.4 percent, imports from Türkiye grew by only 4.2 percent. Similarly, EU imports of machinery and non-electrical equipment increased by 18.8 percent, while imports from Türkiye rose by just 2 percent. These trends indicate a shrinking share of Turkish exports in the EU market across several key sectors, including textiles and chemicals.