Turkish automotive sector sales beat record
Turkish automotive sector broke a historic record in monthly basis with 91'829 units of total vehicle sales in April. According to data released by Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), 83'076 units of vehicle sales in December 2003 was surpassed last month by selling 8'753 units further. Sales increased by 348% in April when compared with the same period of last year. In the first four months of 2004, sales reached 244'093 units, up by 295% compared to the corresponding period of last year. Passenger car sales increased to 143'390 units in the Jan-Apr 2004 period with 47'994 units of sales in April. When compared with the same period of last year, total passenger car sales soared by 356% in the first four months of 2004 while domestic passenger car sales surged by 334% and imported passenger car sales increased by 367%. Automotive sector output also increased rapidly in April and in the first four months due to the surging exports as well as revival of domestic market demand. Production, including tractor, in the Turkish automotive sector rose by 83% to 78'547 units in April. Last month, passenger car output reached 40'749 units with an increase of 86% while commercial vehicle and tractor output increased by 83% and 61% to 33'749 units and 4'049 units respectively. Total exports amounted to 145'769 units, up by 36% in the first months of 2004. According to Uludag Exporters Union (UIB), total exports reached $2.8 billion in Jan-Apr period, increased by 54% compared to the same period of last year. In Jan-Apr period, Oyak Renault exported 41'245 units and Toyota 31'978 units of passenger car, Ford Otosan exported 33'367 units of light commercial vehicle and Tofas 12'907 units of passenger car and 13'106 units of light commercial vehicle.