31.05.2024 17:41
The number and market share of Chinese brands are increasing day by day in the Turkish automotive market. The interest of Chinese brands in Turkey and the increase in their sales have also raised the number of brands in the market. While the position of Chinese brands in the Turkish market is strengthening, production and investment issues are also on the agenda.
According to the data compiled from the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD), total car and light commercial vehicle sales in Turkey increased by 11.3 percent to 371,438 in the January-April period compared to the same period in 2023. The number of car sales increased by 16.62 percent to 294,837 during this period, while the number of light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 5.2 percent to 76,601.
The total number of brands in the market reached 54 with the inclusion of new Chinese companies in the ODMD list.
There has been a significant increase in the interest of Chinese brands in Turkey recently, and this has also been reflected in the number of companies entering the market. There are currently 10 Chinese brands in the Turkish automotive market, including Skywell, MG, Chery, Leapmotor, Seres, Maxus, Hongqi, DFSK, BYD, and NETA. With the addition of SWM and Jaecoo brands to this list in the near future, the number of Chinese brands is expected to increase to 12.
While DFSK and Chery offer cars with internal combustion engines in the Turkish market, MG offers both electric and internal combustion engine models, and other brands also showcase their electric models. Voyah, which sells luxury segment cars, is not listed in the ODMD. In addition, DFSK and Maxus also sell light commercial vehicles.
The total sales of Chinese automotive companies (cars and light commercial vehicles) in Turkey reached 29,539 in the first 4 months of the year, and their market share in the automotive market reached 7.95 percent.
Among Chinese brands, Chery ranked first with 20,782 sales in the January-April period in Turkey. MG ranked second with 7,185 sales, and BYD ranked third with 862 sales. DFSK ranked fourth with 260 sales, and Maxus ranked fifth with 168 sales.
When compared to the same period last year when Chery and some other Chinese brands had not yet started sales, the total sales of Chinese brands remained below 1,000. However, in the entire year of 2023, Chinese brands reached a sales volume of 967,341 in the total Turkish car market of 967,341, with 59,097 sales and a market share of 6.10 percent. Thus, it can be seen that Chinese brands have strengthened their position in the Turkish market in terms of both sales volume and market share.
Chinese brands often see Turkey as a "gateway to Europe," and it is a matter of curiosity whether they will invest in production in Turkey. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that Chery and BYD are considering investing in Turkey and that advanced level negotiations have been held. Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Group, also stated in his statement in China that the issue of investment in Turkey is still on the table.
Some officials from relevant companies, who were informed by AA correspondent, stated that Turkey continues to be one of the biggest candidates for production and battery investment for Chinese brands, and that they closely follow the regulations and developments regarding electric cars.
The sales numbers of Chinese automotive brands in Turkey in the January-April period are as follows:
- Chery: 20,782 (total car + light commercial)
- MG: 7,185 (total car + light commercial)
- BYD: 862 (total car + light commercial)
- DFSK: 260 (total car + light commercial)
- Maxus: 168 (total car + light commercial)
- Skywell: 142 (total car + light commercial)
- Leapmotor: 81 (total car + light commercial)
- NETA: 53 (total car + light commercial)
- Hongqi: 5 (total car + light commercial)
- Seres: 1 (total car + light commercial)
Total Sales: 29,539 (total car + light commercial)
Total Turkish Market: 371,438 (total car + light commercial)
Market Share: 7.95% (total car + light commercial)