Turkey automotive exports fall 17% in May, total $3.26 bn

Turkey's automotive industry saw its May exports drop 17% year‑on‑year to $3.264 billion, representing 16.8% of the country's total exports. Over the first five months, the sector's cumulative exports rose 2.6% to $17 billion.

Passenger‑car shipments fell 23% to $1.013 billion, special‑purpose vehicle exports slipped 27% to $543 million, and bus‑minibus‑midibus sales declined 2.5% to $269 million. By contrast, trailer exports rose 13% to $168 million.

Germany remained the largest market with $526 million in sales, followed by France with $452 million. Exports to EU countries totaled $2.453 billion (75% of the sector's sales) but fell 13% in the month. Exports to other European nations dropped 42% and to the Middle East 26%.

OIB chairman Kemal Yazıcı attributed the downturn to fewer workdays in May, while highlighting growth in strategic markets such as an 18% increase in France and strong gains in the United States and Norway.