ODMD: Automobile and Light Commercial Vehicle Sales Decreased in the First 9 Months of 2026

Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD) announced automobile and light commercial vehicle sales data for the first 9 months of 2026.

Accordingly, in the January-September period, automobile sales decreased by 15.45 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 627 thousand 977 units. The light commercial vehicle market decreased by 5.12 percent to 175 thousand 488 units.

Thus, the total size of the automobile and light commercial vehicle market was recorded as 803 thousand 465 units in the first 9 months of the year.

The automobile and light commercial vehicle market remained at 83 thousand 469 units in September, decreasing by 24.33 percent compared to the same period last year.

In the same period, automobile sales decreased by 27.8 percent to 63 thousand 736 units, while light commercial vehicle sales decreased by 10.42 percent to 19 thousand 733 units.

The total market size in September remained 1 percent below the average for the same month in the last five years. On the other hand, sales were 18 percent above the September average of the last 10 years.

According to ODMD data, sales volume in September fell to the lowest level recorded since 2023.

SUV MODELS ARE AT THE TOP

When automobile sales were evaluated according to body types, it was seen that SUV models continued to dominate the market.

While SUV cars ranked first with a share of 66.2 percent, sedan models took 19.9 percent and hatchback cars took 13.2 percent.

In the evaluation made according to engine types, gasoline cars maintained their leadership with sales of 258 thousand 453 units and a market share of 41.2 percent.

While hybrid cars constituted 32.6 percent of the market with sales of 121 thousand 79 units, electric car sales reached 121 thousand 79 units, taking 19.3 percent of the market. The share of electric models in the total automobile market was recorded as 19.3 percent.

Diesel cars received a 5.5 percent share with sales of 34 thousand 520 units, and autogas models received a 1.4 percent share with 8 thousand 969 units.

THE SHARE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS INCREASING

In the January-September period, sales of electric cars below 160 kW increased by 7.9 percent, gaining a 17 percent share, while sales of electric cars above 160 kW decreased by 59 percent and got a share of 2.3 percent.

On the other hand, electric vehicle sales in September also attracted attention.

According to ODMD data, 15 thousand 128 electric cars were sold in September. Thus, the market share of electric vehicles in September was 23.7 percent. In September last year, the market share of electric vehicles remained below 15 percent.

The increase in the market share of electric cars to 23.7 percent in September was the highest level reached on a monthly basis in 2026, but this rate remained below the historical peak of 27.6 percent recorded in June 2025.

In summary, the increase in the market share of electric cars despite the contraction in the general market shows that consumer preferences in Turkey are increasingly shifting towards electric models.

In the coming months, the price levels of the new models that will be offered for sale, as well as the campaigns, will determine the course of the market.