The supply industry, the largest product group, continued to lead exports at $1.085 billion. Passenger car exports also rose by 6% to $941 million. Meanwhile, exports of special purpose motor vehicles and buses experienced significant growth, with a 20% increase to $411 million for goods carriers and a 27% increase to $220 million for buses and minibuses. Tractor exports, however, faced a steep decline of 66% to $61 million.

While Germany remained the top destination for supply industry exports, there was an 8% decrease compared to the previous year. Exports to other markets saw positive developments, with significant growth to the USA (29%), Romania (100%), and Morocco (38%).

France emerged as the leading export destination for passenger cars, with a remarkable 47% increase. However, exports to other key markets like Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy experienced declines.

Similarly, exports of special purpose motor vehicles rose for the United Kingdom (41%), Belgium (18%), and Netherlands (223%), while those to Slovenia and Italy fell.

The bus-minibus-midibus category witnessed a surge in exports to France (86%), the USA (264%), and Italy (20%), along with a significant increase to Saudi Arabia.

France remained the top overall export market at $400 million, followed by Germany at $366 million, which nonetheless reflected a 5% year-over-year growth. The United Kingdom also saw a 7% increase in exports to $260 million.

The report highlights a 3% decrease in exports to EU countries, which previously held a 66% share. This decline was offset by an 11% increase in exports to other European countries. Exports to the North American Free Trade Area and African countries also showed positive growth of 45% and 19%, respectively.

"In the first four months of the year, automotive industry exports increased by 5% to $11 billion 876 million," said Baran Çelik, the Coordinating Chairman of Uludağ Exporters' Association and Chairman of the Board for Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association. "We are pleased to see double-digit growth in exports of special purpose motor vehicles and buses. France was the leader, with a 20% rise in exports, and the US market also grew significantly at 51%." (ILKHA)