Both production and exports increased in the automotive sector

In the first six months of this year, total automotive production increased by 13 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 735,231, while automobile production increased by 21 percent, reaching 462,401 units. The Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), which is the umbrella organization of the sector with its 13 members that guide the Turkish automotive industry, announced the production and export data for the January-June period of 2023. Accordingly, in the first six months of the year, total automotive production increased by 13 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 735,231 units. Automobile production also increased by 21 percent, reaching 462,401 units. Total production, including tractor production, reached 765,282 units. In the first six months of the year, commercial vehicle production also increased by 2 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. During this period, production in the heavy commercial vehicle group increased by 23 percent, while production in the light commercial vehicle group was parallel to the same period of the previous year. Capacity utilization rate was 74 percent During this period, the capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was 74 percent. Capacity utilization rates on a vehicle group basis were 74 percent in light vehicles (cars + light commercial vehicles), 91 percent in the truck group, 48 percent in the bus-midibus group and 81 percent in tractors. Exports increased by 15 percent to 17.7 billion dollars In the first 6 months of the year, automotive exports increased by 8 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 505 thousand 926 in terms of units. During this period, automobile exports increased by 20 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, while commercial vehicle exports decreased by 8 percent. Tractor exports also increased by 15 percent compared to the same period of 2022, reaching 10 thousand 195 units. According to the data of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, total automotive industry exports maintained their top place in the sectoral export ranking with 16 percent in the first 6 months of 2023. According to the data of Uludağ Exporters' Association (UIB), total automotive exports in the first 6-month period increased by 15 percent compared to the same period of 2022, reaching 17.7 billion dollars. "We have completed a 6-month period that we closed with very successful and important figures" OSD Board of Directors Chairman Cengiz Eroldu, whose assessment of the results was included in the statement, noted the following: "We have completed a 6-month period that we closed with very successful and important figures. When we look at our figures now, first of all, our production has reached 735 thousand units. This means a 13 percent increase compared to last year. Hopefully, these figures seem to be carrying us towards a total production of 1.5 million units this year. Another pleasing issue is, of course, our capacity utilization rate increased from 67 percent to 74 percent. Both the increase in exports and the increase in the domestic market undoubtedly contribute greatly to this."