03.04.2025 15:20
Chinese car brands are planning to increase their investments in Turkey. BYD's decision to invest 1 billion dollars could create a 'butterfly effect' for other Chinese car brands such as DFSK, Skywell, Chery, MG, and SWM. Ali Koç, Vice Chairman of the Board of Koç Holding, stated regarding the interest of Chinese investors in Turkey, "There is no discomfort on our part."
Chinese car brands have become key players in the automotive market in Turkey. Brands like Chery, MG, and BYD are planning to achieve long-term success in Turkey by continuously investing for sustainable growth.
In a report published by the Turkish Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD) on March 4, significant growth was observed in the sales of Chinese car brands in 2024. According to the ODMD report, Chery sold 57,047 vehicles in Turkey last year, marking a 40.54% increase compared to the previous year, with its Tiggo series featuring competitive prices appealing to a wide consumer base. The report states that MG, known for its electric and hybrid models, is expected to sell 17,162 vehicles in Turkey in 2024, showing an 18.70% increase compared to 2023 figures. According to the ODMD report, BYD demonstrated a significant rise by selling 8,331 vehicles last year, reflecting an increase of 892.97% compared to 2023. Given these figures, there is curiosity about how the Turkish automotive industry will respond to these moves.
"THE CHINESE PLAN TO EXPAND TO EUROPE THROUGH TURKEY"
Ali Koç, Vice Chairman of the Board of Koç Holding and Chairman of the Board of Ford Otosan, made statements to Paranın Yönü magazine regarding the interest of Chinese investors in Turkey. In response to the question of whether there is any discomfort in the Koç Group due to the arrival of Chinese brands, Ali Koç said, "There is no discomfort from our side. Let me just say this: In an environment where the Western world is trying to reduce its dependence on China, if Turkey positions itself correctly, it can secure a lot of business. The Chinese are also planning to expand to Europe through Turkey."
Ali Koç stated that the arrival of Chinese brands is a very important milestone for the Turkish automotive sector.
TOP SELLING CHINESE BRANDS
Looking at the sales figures of Chinese automotive companies in Turkey for the January-June period, Chery ranked first with 34,501 sales. MG, with 11,074 sales, came in second, while BYD, with 1,426 sales, took third place.