Ford Otosan leader in Turkish automotive exports

Ford Otosan came top in Turkey’s automotive exports in the first half of 2007, exporting 111,000 vehicles, followed by Renault with 108,607 vehicles.

Fifth in the ranking, Hyundai Assan’s 185 percent increase in exports drew most attention for the sector. Statistics released by the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (OSD) reveal that in the first six months of this year automotive exports increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year: In total 414,895 vehicles were exported. Ford’s exports increased by 20.7 percent, while Renault raised their quota by 19.4 percent. Third-ranking Toyota’s export rate decreased by 4.1 percent compared to last year, with the number of vehicles exported sitting at 76,819. Tofaş exports, in fourth place, accounted for 69,101 vehicles with a 20.5 percent increase. Hyundai increased their output by a staggering 185.7 percent with 32,151 vehicles being shipped out.In terms of exports from January to June, Mercedes Benz Turk, Honda Turkey, Uzel and Turk Tractor ranked respectively after Hyundai.

EU biggest car export client for Turkey 

The automotive industry, one of the leading sectors in the Turkish export market, sold 79.2 percent of its export trade to 26 European Union countries, with three out of every four cars being shipped to the EU in the first seven months of 2007.
 
According statistics released by the Uludağ Exporters’ Union (UİB), the Turkish automotive sector exported to 167 nations and 14 free zones across five continents between January and July of this year. Total car exports during the first seven months totaled $11.3 billion, with nearly $9 billion coming from EU countries alone. However, this figure does not include EU member southern Cyprus, which received no cars from Turkey. Exports to countries other than the EU remained limited to $2.3 billion. Half of the total value of car exports, $5.6 billion, went to Germany, Italy, France and Britain. Other countries ranking high in the Turkish car export market were Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Luxembourg, Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Malta, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania.