Turkish automobile market moves forward with 'electricity'

According to information compiled by the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD), the Turkish car and light commercial vehicle market grew by 25,2 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, reaching 295 thousand 519 units.

During this period, car sales increased by 33,05 percent to 233 thousand 389 units, and light commercial vehicle sales increased by 2,6 percent to 62 thousand 130 units.

GASOLINE CARS ARE FIRST

In the said period, in the Turkish car market sales rankings, fuel cars ranked first with 156 thousand 396 units, and hybrid cars ranked second with 33 thousand 131 units.

Diesel car sales were determined as 25 thousand 268, and autogas car sales were determined as 2 thousand 38. Sales of fully electric cars powered only by electricity were recorded as 14 thousand 158 units.

When vehicles with a system that provides power to the wheels (extended range) by running an electric motor with a fuel-fueled engine generator to charge the battery in the vehicle are included, the number of electric car sales increased to 16 thousand 556. Extended range cars are also in the "electric" class as per the Customs Tariff Statistics Position (GTIP).

DIESEL AND AUTOGAS CAR SALES ARE IN DECLINE

While there was a 2023 percent increase in fuel car sales in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period of 33,3, there was a 19,5 percent decrease in diesel cars and a 26,2 percent decrease in autogas cars. During this period, hybrid car sales increased by 71,8 percent and fully electric cars increased by 275,9 percent.

It is stated that one of the main reasons for the decrease in diesel car sales is that "global manufacturers continue to discontinue diesel car production and therefore do not offer new diesel cars to the market."

FULL ELECTRIC SHARE 6,1 PERCENT 

The share of fuel-fueled cars in sales, which was 66,9 percent in the first quarter of last year, increased to 67 percent in the same period this year. The share of diesel cars decreased from 17,9 percent to 10,8 percent, and the share of autogas cars decreased from 1,6 percent to 0,9 percent.

During the said period, the share of total sales increased from 2,1 percent to 6,1 percent for fully electric cars; In hybrids, it increased from 11 percent to 14,2 percent. Considering full electric, extended range electric and hybrid, it was seen that 21,3 percent of the total market consisted of vehicles with electric engines.

SALES NUMBER IN MARCH WAS 5 THOUSAND 903

On the other hand, when we look at March this year, it was seen that a total of 5 thousand 903 "full electric" cars were sold. Thus, the market share of "full electric" cars in March was recorded as 6,8 percent.

It is expected that 120 thousand electric cars will be sold in Turkey this year. Department representatives state that with the development of the electric car market, manufacturers will continue to offer their newest models for sale in Turkey.