Türkiye Sees Rise in Hybrid Cars Amid Overall Automotive Decline

Aisha Mensah | AA

While Türkiye's overall car sales fell by 9.79% in the first half of the year, hybrid vehicle sales continued to climb, contributing to a trend where half of all sales were either hybrid or electric.

Türkiye's automotive industry is experiencing a downturn as car sales fell by 9.79% in the first half of the year, according to the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association. The decline is evident across vehicle types, with light commercial vehicle sales also decreasing by 1.69%, totaling 117,945 units.

The sales figures for different types of cars show a broader trend of consumers moving away from traditional gasoline vehicles. Gas cars, which made up 41.5% of the total car sales in the first half of the year, saw a decline from 45.8% during the same period last year.

The ongoing shift away from diesel, as its production phases out, contributed to a 27.1% decrease in diesel car sales, while LPG-powered cars maintained a steady presence with 3,122 units sold.

Hybrid Cars Show Growth Amid Declining Electric Sales

Hybrid cars have shown resilience in this challenging market, with sales rising by 6% to 145,804 units in the first six months of the year. Meanwhile, fully electric car sales recorded 80,709 units despite the broader downturn.

The share of electric vehicles (EVs) in Türkiye climbed slightly from 17.6% to 18.5%, although their sales decreased by 5.3% to 81,331 units. In June alone, 14,978 electric cars were sold, marking a significant year-on-year drop of 42%.

Notably, hybrid vehicles have increased their presence, capturing 33.1% of the market share compared to 28.2% last year, showing a marked preference among consumers and manufacturers toward this vehicle type.

Market Shifts: The Rising Popularity of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Despite the overarching decline in sales across traditional vehicles, Türkiye's market is witnessing an interesting bifurcation where the combined sales of electric and hybrid vehicles now account for 51.6% of the total car market.

This shift is largely driven by the increased sales of hybrid vehicles, which, according to the data, reached 26,782 units in June, accounting for a market share of 31.9%. This indicates a growing consumer interest in vehicles that offer better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Experts attribute the market shifts to several factors, including environmental concerns, fuel economy, and changing government policies that encourage the adoption of more energy-efficient vehicles.

Türkiye's Automotive Market and Urban Transportation Implications

As hybrid and electric vehicles increasingly dominate Türkiye's car market, urban policy makers face new challenges and opportunities in redefining transportation infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. This transition signifies potential fiscal impacts on city budgets, particularly in terms of infrastructure development and maintenance for charging stations.

The rise in hybrid and electric vehicle sales also highlights an economic shift that cities must account for in their planning. Such planning involves not only adapting to vehicle technology advancements but also fostering equitable access to new transportation options among diverse urban populations. This balance between technological progress and public service delivery will be key to thriving cities.

Looking ahead, understanding these trends allows city leaders to harness the benefits of hybrid and electric vehicles, such as reducing urban air pollution and promoting sustainable growth, positioning these innovations at the forefront of future urban development strategies.

Questions That Matter

What is the trend in Türkiye's car market?

Türkiye's car market saw a decline of 9.79% in overall car sales in the first half of the year, with electric vehicle sales falling by 5.3%, while hybrid cars experienced a growth of 6%.

What percentage of total car sales are hybrids?

In the first six months of the year, hybrid cars accounted for 33.1% of total car sales in Türkiye, up from 28.2% in the same period last year.