Auto exports reach record high in first seven months

ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s automotive exports rose 2.6 percent year-on-year to a record $24.4 billion in the first seven months of 2026, marking the industry’s highest January-July figure, according to data from the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM).

The industry accounted for 15.1 percent of Türkiye’s total exports during the period. Overall exports increased 3.4 percent from a year earlier to $161.6 billion.

The automotive sector has posted successive January-July records over the past four years. Exports stood at $23.8 billion in 2025, $20.8 billion in 2024 and $20 billion in 2023.

Germany remained the industry’s largest market, with exports reaching $3.95 billion. France followed with $3.03 billion, ahead of Italy at $2.24 billion, the United Kingdom at $2.18 billion and Spain at $1.95 billion.

France recorded the largest increase in export value, with shipments rising by $330.8 million from the same period last year. Italy posted the second-largest increase at $305.1 million.

Kocaeli led Türkiye’s provinces with $7.2 billion in automotive exports, followed by Bursa with $5.8 billion and Istanbul with $4.9 billion. Sakarya exported $2.7 billion and Ankara $1.7 billion.