Prime Highlights:
- Major car makers, including Renault and Hyundai, are launching new models, while Chinese brands like BYD, MG, and Dongfeng are considering investments in Türkiye.
- The combination of fresh vehicle rollouts and potential foreign investments positions Türkiye’s automotive sector for a significant year.
Key Facts:
- Türkiye sold 1.37 million cars and light commercial vehicles in 2025, a 10.49% increase from the previous year, with exports totaling $41.5 billion.
- Renault has started pre-production of the new-generation Clio, with sales beginning in February, and will later introduce the Boreal SUV.
Background:
Türkiye’s car industry is getting ready for a busy 2026. Big car makers are planning to launch new models, and some Chinese companies are thinking about investing in the market. After a record year in 2025, the industry expects more growth.
Last year, Türkiye sold 1.37 million cars and light commercial vehicles, up 10.49% from 2024. Exports also did well, reaching $41.5 billion, showing Türkiye’s growing importance in the global car market.
Companies are taking action to keep this momentum. Renault has started making the new-generation Clio at its Oyak Renault plant, with sales set to start in February. Later in the year, the company will launch the Boreal SUV, expanding its lineup for more customers.
Tofaş is set to revive production of the Doblo in the third quarter, targeting the domestic market with both light commercial and passenger “Combi” versions for Fiat, Opel, Citroën, and Peugeot under Stellantis’s K01 program. Hyundai’s İzmit plant is preparing to launch the Ioniq 3, a fully new electric model currently undergoing testing, with production expected in the second half of the year.
Investment developments are also drawing attention. Dongfeng is also interested in making cars in Türkiye, showing that the country is becoming more attractive for international car makers.
Experts say that while 2026 might not break last year’s sales record, new car launches and possible foreign investments could make it an important year for Türkiye’s auto industry.
With new vehicles coming off production lines and investment plans in the works, Türkiye’s car industry is entering an important phase, bringing both growth and new options for manufacturers and buyers.