25.08.2022 14:10
News Source: Mehmet Ali Kantarci
According to the Automotive Industry Association (OSD) data, while heavy commercial vehicle sales increased by 13 percent in the first 7 months in Turkey, the light commercial market contracted by 3.5 percent. While customer demand continues for both commercial vehicle segments, the “availability” problem in light commercial vehicles outweighs. Dealers work with zero stock in this class. While a significant portion of consumers prefer light commercial vehicles due to low SCT, they want to take advantage of both passenger and commercial use. At the end of this year, light commercial sales are expected to be in the range of 170-175 thousand, depending on the supply situation in Turkey.
Commercial vehicle production is increasing
In the first 7 months, the capacity utilization rate of the automotive industry was 66 percent. Capacity utilization rates were 66 percent in light vehicles (cars + light commercial vehicles), 84 percent in the truck group, 33 percent in the bus-midibus group, and 62 percent in the tractor. While production increased by 25 percent in the heavy commercial vehicle group, production increased by 20 percent in the light commercial vehicle group. Bus production increased by 25 percent, in midibuses by 64 percent, in pickup trucks by 20 percent, in trucks by 24 percent, and in minibuses by 26 percent.
There is a demand for tow trucks
According to TAID (Heavy Commercial Vehicle Association), heavy commercial vehicle sales in the January-July 2022 period increased by 5% compared to the same period of the previous year and became 17.6 thousand. Tractor sales increased by 14% to 11,056 units, while truck sales of 16 tons and above decreased by 10% to 4,109. The heavy commercial vehicle market increased by 66% in July 2022 compared to July of the previous year and reached 2,750. Tow truck sales increased by 118% compared to the July average of the last 10 years, while Truck sales decreased by 29%. This year, the heavy commercial market is expected to be 30 thousand units. Exports are also going well in heavy trade. Mercedes-Benz Türk, which produces in Aksaray, exported 293 trucks in July, all to European countries. The company sent 6,802 trucks abroad in the first 7 months of 2022.