Chinese automotive brands, which see Turkiye as a bridge between them and Europe, continue to increase their operations in Turkiye and become partners in the competition with the electric models they offer to the market.
Total sales in the Turkish automobile and light commercial vehicle market increased by 63.7% in the January-October period of this year compared to the same period last year, reaching 958 thousand 942 units.
As of these periods, the number of automobile sales increased by 67.8% to 749 thousand 501 units, and the number of light commercial vehicle sales increased by 50.6% to 209 thousand 441 units.
The total number of sales is expected to exceed 1 million by the end of the year, breaking a record.
The number of brands originating from China increased to 9
The developments and potential in the Turkish automotive market attract the attention of manufacturers from many countries. With the inclusion of the Chinese company BYD in the ODMD list, the number of brands in the market increased to 51.
When we look at these brands by country, we see that French and German companies predominate. In addition to domestically produced brands, South Korean and Japanese brands are also among the strong players in the market.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the interest of Chinese brands in Turkiye. This situation is also reflected in the number of companies entering the market. With the inclusion of BYD, the world’s leading electric car manufacturer, in the Turkish automotive market, the number of brands originating from China increased to 9.
Chinese brands such as Skywell, MG, Chery, Leapmotor, Seres, Voyah, Hongqi, DFSK and BYD started selling in Turkiye. While DFSK and Chery offer cars with internal combustion engines for sale in the Turkish market, MG, both electric and internal combustion, and other brands appear in Turkiye with their electric models.
Chery is the highest selling Chinese brand
When we look at the sales figures of Chinese automotive companies in Turkiye, it is noteworthy that Chery ranked first with 31 thousand 40 sales of its “Omoda 5”, “Tiggo 7 Pro” and “Tiggo 8 Pro” models in the January-October period of the year.
After Chery, MG ranks second with its “MG4”, “MG HS”, “MG ZS” and “MG Marvel R” models with sales of 9 thousand 867 units, and Skywell, which attracted attention with its “ET5” model, ranks third with 2 thousand 41 sales.
While Leapmotor sold 310 units with its “T03” model, Seres sold 289 units with its “Seres 3” model and Hongqi sold 15 with its “E-HS9” model.
The share of Chinese brands in the Turkish market is 4.54%
The total sales of Chinese automotive companies in Turkiye reached 43 thousand 562 in the 10 months of the year, and their share in the Turkish market reached 4.54%.
Sales figures of Voyah, DFSK and BYD, which recently entered the Turkish market, have not been announced yet. However, DFSK aims to sell 5 thousand units by 2024 with its “Fengon 500” and “Fengon 5” models positioned in the C SUV segment, as well as 4 commercial models. BYD aims to sell 1500 units with its “Atto 3” model by the end of the year, and luxury car brand Voyah aims to sell 200 units with its “Free Apolo” model by the end of the year.
They see Turkiye as a bridge to open up to the EU
On the other hand, it is a matter of curiosity whether Chinese brands will produce in Turkiye. At this point, while the recent allegations have not been confirmed by the relevant company officials from whom the AA correspondent received information, it is emphasized that they will be shared when there are concrete developments regarding investment and that Turkiye is one of the biggest candidates in terms of production and battery investment for Chinese brands.
Chinese managers of brands such as Chery and DFSK also state that they see Turkiye as a bridge to the EU and that investment plans will be discussed more strongly in the coming period.
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz