While Turkey was the only country in Europe that increased its automotive sales during the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) period in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of 2019, it also became the 7th country that sold the most automobiles and light commercial vehicles.
Financial risks increased by fluctuations in global markets due to Covid-19, negative effects on supply chains and exports, and the effects of anti-epidemic measures on domestic demand leave country economies in a difficult situation.
While many sectors were negatively affected by the epidemic, especially automotive is one of the most affected sectors.
The negative effects of the epidemic were clearly reflected in automotive sales last month and in the first quarter of the year. While Covid-19 caused great losses in sales in Europe, the Turkish automotive market was also negatively affected by the epidemic. However, the fact that the virus was detected later in Turkey compared to Europe enabled Turkey to remain stronger in automotive sales.
The biggest decrease was seen in Italy, where the pandemic hit
According to the data compiled by the AA correspondent from the European automobile market evaluation report prepared by the Automotive Distributors Association (ODD) with the data of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), according to the total market including the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the UK. Due to the impact of coronavirus, the automotive market decreased by 26.1 percent in the January-March period of this year and amounted to 3 million 564 thousand 777 units. In the same period of 2019, 4 million 824 thousand 307 units were sold.
According to the total of EU, EFTA countries and the UK, the highest decrease in the first quarter compared to the same period last year was seen in Italy, the European country most affected by the pandemic, with 34.7 percent. After Italy, the highest decrease was recorded in France with 32.7 percent and Austria with 31.6 percent.
While automotive sales in Germany decreased by 19.7 percent in this period, sales decreased by 31.1 percent in Spain, another important country in Europe, and by 31.4 percent in the UK, which left the EU.
The country that sold the most vehicles was Germany
The country that sold the most vehicles in Europe in the first quarter of this year was Germany, which owns Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and other major brands of these companies. Germany, the locomotive country of Europe, sold 786 thousand 508 units in the January-March period.
Germany was followed by England, which has brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Land Rover, with total sales of 562 thousand 90 units.
France, which ranks 3rd in automobile and commercial vehicle sales, sold 464 thousand 865 units with Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Dacia and other brands producing in the country.
France was followed by Italy with sales of 386 thousand 191 units and Spain with sales of 260 thousand 725 units.
Turkish automotive market rose to 7th place
While no country increased its sales in this period in the total market covering the EU, EFTA countries and the UK, the automotive market increased in Turkey, which encountered Covid-19 a little later than Europe.
Automotive sales in Turkey in the January-March period increased by 41.3 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 128 thousand 674.
Turkey, which ranked 9th in automotive sales in February and 10th in the first quarter of last year, rose to 7th place in the European automotive sales rankings in the first quarter of this year.
Sales decreased by 51.4 percent in March
Considering only March of this year, the European automotive market decreased by 51.4 percent to 998 thousand 524 units. In the same month of 2019, 2 million 53 thousand 472 units were sold.
According to the total of the EU, EFTA and UK markets, the biggest decrease in March compared to the same period last year was recorded in Italy with 83.6 percent, France with 70.5 percent and Spain with 68.5 percent.
While there was no market in Europe that increased its sales in March this year compared to the same period of 2019, the Turkish automotive market increased by 1.8 percent in the said period. Türkiye was recorded as the only country whose automotive sales increased in March.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/turkiye-avrupada-otomotiv-satislari-artan-tek-ulke/1822466
