March marked an outstanding month for the automotive sector in Turkey, with ODMD (Automobile Distributors and Mobility Association) reporting record-breaking sales. Compared to last year, total market sales rose by 6.4%, reaching 116,900 units. This surge was driven by the anticipation of price hikes following recent fluctuations in the currency exchange rate, leading consumers to act proactively and purchase vehicles before further increases.
Dealers Worked Late into the Night Before the Holiday
The expectation of price increases ahead of the holiday period led to record sales figures in March. Dealers were bustling even during the holiday, with some working late into the night to finalize sales before the month’s end. According to the news from otomobilhaber.com, domestic car sales also saw a significant rise in March, with numbers showing an upward trajectory. According to the news from otomobilhaber.com, automobile sales increased by 5.5% from last year, reaching 91,828 units, while light commercial vehicle sales surged by 10.2%, totaling 25,072 units. This was a 48% increase compared to the 10-year average for March.
Market Slows Down in the First Quarter
However, the first quarter of 2025 saw a slight slowdown in overall vehicle sales compared to the same period in 2024. Sales dropped by 6.5%, totaling 276,284 units. Automobile sales during the January-March period decreased by 4.1%, totaling 223,793 units, while the light commercial vehicle market contracted by 15.5%, with 52,491 units sold. The light commercial vehicle market experienced the biggest decline. While A, B, and C segments shrank, the D and E segments showed growth.
