Turkish automotive exports boom in May
Exports effected by the Turkish automotive industry that has focused on the international markets because of the economic scrutiny, have reached $2.68 billion during the first five months of the year, increasing by 55.8%. This exports figure is more or less equal to the total automotive exports effected in the year 2000. For the month of May, exports hiked by 42.9% worth $593.5 million compared to last year's figure of $415.1 million. Exports increased by 69.5% in January, 37.4% in February, 52.2% in March and 80.2% in April. Worth of exports by the Turkish automotive industry were only at around million US dollars in the mid 90s. Thereafter same gradually increased equalling to $1.7 billion in 1998, $2.4 billion in 1999, 2.6 billion in 2000, 3.8 billion in 2001 and 4.8 billion in 2002. Exports from Turkey are mainly focused on destinations in Europe, such as Germany, France, Italy and the UK. Currently, the biggest market appears to be Germany with a 39.8% increase, reaching a total of $452.8 million.