ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s automotive sector achieved its highest exports at $19.9 billion in the first six months of the year, according to data from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM).

Auto exports rose 13% compared to the first half of last year, and these exports made up 15.2% of all Turkish exports.

Türkiye’s total exports rose 4.1% on an annual basis in the first half of the year, totaling $131.4 billion, while rising 8% in June to $20.5 billion.

Turkish auto exports went mostly to Germany, accounting for $3.2 billion in the January-June period, followed by France with $2.3 billion, the UK with $2.1 billion, Spain with $1.7 billion, Italy with $1.6 billion, Slovenia with $1.1 billion, Romania with $739.1 million, and Belgium with $838 million.

Auto exports to Germany rose $765 million in this period versus the same period last year, followed by Spain with $481.4 million, Slovenia with $425.8 million, Romania with $226.5 million, and Belgium with $215.9 million.

Auto exports were mostly from the northwestern province of Kocaeli, accounting for $6.3 billion in the January-June period, followed by Bursa with $4.3 billion, Istanbul with $4.2 billion, the northwestern city of Sakarya with $2.2 billion, and Ankara with $769.2 million.

The Turkish auto sector continued its steady growth since the pandemic and now through protectionist trade worldwide and the US move to impose new tariffs.

Currently, the US has a 25% tariff on all car imports, and a new tariff may be on the horizon, given that the Trump administration announced it had sent letters to Japan and South Korea to impose 25% tariffs on all products starting Aug. 1.