Turkey's automotive export is beating records

Turkey’s automotive export is beating records

Export of Turkish automotive sector which has trending towards outside market due to ecomomic crisis, exceeded $4.5 billion in January-August period with an increase of 60% compared with the same period last year. This rate was recorded as $2.8 billion last year. Export of automotive sector, just in the first eight months of 2003 has reached to total export of last year, which was $4.8 billion. According to the statistics revealed from Uludag Exporter Unions (UIB), subsidiary industry in the first eight month of 2003 has reached up to $1.54 billion with an increase of 28% and passenger cars have followed it with $1.3 billion. While the most increase in exports is recorded in tanks and armed battle vehicles, a decrease in the exports of air and space vehicles and special-purpose tractors is recorded. Automotive export has increased by 67% in August 2003, compared with the same month last year and amounted up to $499 million from $298 million. The highest increase of 80% in 2003 is recorded in April. Exports of automotive sector was directed towards fourteen free zones and 162 countries and autonomous regions. Most of the exports were made into Europe. Germany with an increase of 46% and reaching up to $768 million is the leading country in exports and is followed by Italy, France, Spain and UK. In January-August period, the sector for the first time made exports into Melilla, Gibraltar, San Marino, Tajikistan, Gambia, The Republic of Central Africa, Burundi, Botsvana, Swaziland, El Salvador, English Virgin Islands, Palestine, Guyana, Burma, France Polinesia, Marshall Islands and in Turkey to TUBITAK, Adana Yumurtalık, Thrace and Kocaeli free zones.