By Cem San and Emir Yildirim
BURSA, Türkiye (AA) - Türkiye exported $3.2 billion worth of light commercial vehicles, pickup trucks, and trucks in the first half of the year, according to data compiled by Anadolu from the Uludag Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association.
The figure marked a 12.56% increase from the same period last year and accounted for 16% of the Turkish automotive industry’s total exports, which stood at $19.9 billion in January-June.
Seventy-four countries and autonomous regions imported Turkish vehicles used for transporting goods during the first half of the year.
The UK remained the top destination, importing $758 million worth of vehicles despite an 8% annual decline. Exports to Germany jumped 407% year-on-year to $541.8 million from $106.7 million in the same period of 2023.
Shipments to Slovenia rose 3% to $373.9 million, while sales to Spain surged 254% to $337.9 million. Exports to Italy declined 5% to $329 million, and those to France fell 5% to $271.4 million.
Belgium imported $182.1 million worth of Turkish vehicles in the first half, down 33% from a year earlier. Austria’s imports totaled $56 million, sharply down from $148 million in the same period of 2023.
Other key buyers included Australia with $46.6 million, Romania with $40.6 million, and Uzbekistan with $12.5 million.
Türkiye also exported vehicles to a wide range of countries, including Egypt, Iceland, Panama, Estonia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Gabon, Senegal, South Korea, Guinea, Congo, Gibraltar, Finland, and Chad.