Turkey Predicts Record Production This Year

Car and light commercial vehicles production in Turkey is likely to grow 7% to a record 1.45 million units this year, the Automotive Industrialists’ Assn. (OSD) predicts. About 75% of the country’s output is exported, primarily to the European Union.

Turkey’s domestic car market reached a record 1 million units in 2015. But sales this year are expected to slip about 5%—hurt by the failed military coup in July—before rebounding in 2017.

OSD President Kudret Onen tells Reuters that Turkey’s auto industry is developing into a production hub for commercial vehicles as well as cars. He says the sector’s growth will be aided by efforts to improve the local workforce, refine administrative policies, tap into digitalization and develop global trade deals.