Despite negative effect of developments in near markets such as Ukraine and Russia, the growth in the EU market has contributed positively to the automotive industry’s production and exports in 2015
The top level representatives of the associations and firms briefed about their targets for 2016. Hayri Erce, General Coordinator of Automotive Distributors Association (ODD), said on the basis of 11 months sales in 2015 nearly 30 percent increase was seen, adding “the first half of 2014 was a market under normal. For this reason, it would be true comparing this year with 2013. If we compare 11 months of 2015 with the same period of 2013, in fact the increase is 12 percent.” In his speech, Kudret Onen, Chairman of the Board of Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), said new model and capacity increase is expected, adding the economic performance of 2015 was in the very well level despite two general elections held in 2015. Stating the euro-based exports were maintaining its increase with regard to negative developments in some export markets and also continuity of weakness in global trade, Onen stated, “Despite negative effect of developments in near markets such as Ukraine and Russia markets, the growth in the EU market has contributed positively to our industry’s production and exports.” Onen also said he would predict continuation of the members’ new model and capacity utilization investments would go on in 2016 too. “With these investments our industry’s capacity utilization will reach by 1,9 million per annum,” he noted. Automotive Market might accomplish the market with 900- 950 thousand Ali Bilaloglu, Executive Board Chairman of Dogus Automotive, marked the year 2015 was a year when they had reached their targets as Dogus automotive brands. “As for 2016, possible geopolitical issues that would come on the agenda might take under effect the economic developments in both Turkey and the world. With regard to the automotive sector would always track the economic developments, the market growth and speed of 2016 would truly parallel in line with the development of economy,” Bilaloglu added. 2016 will be full of new model launchings according ot Haydar Yenigun, Director General of Ford Otosan, reminding in the political uncertainty time between the two general elections the foreign exchanges showed fast change, and said; “For this reason the market predicted to lower. But the automotive market continued growth in the scope of positive expectations at the beginning of the year.” Onder Goker, Director General of Hyundai Assan, said the automotive market showed more growth than their expectation in 2015. He highlighted their retail sales increased over 35 percent, adding at least 195 thousand vehicles would be exported to over 40 countries in 2015.