According to the monthly statistics released by the Turkish Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), in September this year Turkey's motor vehicle output totaled 87,486 units, declining by 12 percent year on year, and up by 76.62 percent over the month of August.
In September, Turkey's passenger car output totaled 50,320 units - down nine percent, its commercial vehicle production reached 35,949 units - down 16 percent, while tractor production amounted to 1,217 units - down 41 percent, all compared to September last year.
In the first nine months of 2009, the country's motor vehicle output totaled 626,367 units, decreasing by 37 percent year on year.
In the January-September period of the current year, Turkey's total passenger car output declined by 28 percent to 374,927 units, its commercial vehicle production slid by 46 percent to 241,068, while the tractor output of Turkish producers decreased by 51 percent to 10,372, all compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The overall production capacity utilization rate of the Turkish automotive industry in September was 67 percent, while the rate was 53 percent in the first nine months of the year.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, in March 2009 Turkish government reduced the Special Consumption Tax (OTV) in the automotive sector to boost the sales of the automotive industry, which had been heavily affected by the global economic downturn. As the tax reduction greatly helped to clear out inventories, in June it was extended until September 30, 2009. However, the Turkish government has decided not to extend the tax reduction measure any further in spite of calls from producers and consumers for it to do so.
Meanwhile, there were also expectations in Turkey for the introduction of a car scrapping scheme. However, the government has said that any such program would have to be evaluated in depth before being implemented, and that such a program is not currently on the table.