Türkiye’s automotive supply industry continues to maintain its strategic position within the international value chain amid fluctuations in the global economy, shifting regional trade dynamics, and the accelerating technological transformation of the automotive industry. Yakup Birinci, Chairman of the Automotive Suppliers Association of Türkiye (TAYSAD), stated that global industry platforms play a critical role in enhancing the international competitiveness of the automotive supply industry and fostering new collaborations, describing Automechanika Istanbul as a strategic meeting point for the sector. Birinci emphasized that the show makes a significant contribution by enabling supply industry representatives to establish direct contact with international buyers, develop new projects, and evaluate the sector’s transformation topics on a global scale.
The transformation taking place in global automotive production is leading to the restructuring of supply chains and ushering the industry into a new era of technology-driven competition. While global vehicle production stood at approximately 93 million units in 2024, it increased to 96.438 million units in 2025, demonstrating the sector’s continued growth momentum. In Europe, production declined slightly from 17.829 million units in 2024 to 17.567 million units in 2025. Yakup Birinci, Chairman of the Automotive Suppliers Association of Türkiye (TAYSAD), underlined that vehicle production in Türkiye increased from 1.466 million units in 2024 to 1.504 million units in 2025, allowing Türkiye to maintain its position as the world’s 11th largest vehicle producer. Evaluating this outlook, Birinci stated that previously secured projects and the implementation of the right strategies had proven highly successful. “With our flexible production capabilities, qualified workforce, and strong supply infrastructure, our sector continues to maintain its resilience and strong export performance. As the automotive supply industry, we closed 2024 with exports totaling 14.87 billion USD. In 2025, we increased our exports to 15.8 billion USD. This increase clearly demonstrates that the Turkish supply industry has maintained its resilience and strong position in international markets during a period of intensified global competition and transformation pressure,” he said.
“As TAYSAD, we strive to further strengthen the collective power of our industry”
Birinci stated that TAYSAD’s representative strength continues to grow every year. “With the addition of 27 new members in 2025, our membership exceeded 540 companies. Today, as TAYSAD, we represent more than 85% of Türkiye’s automotive supply industry. Through conferences, member gatherings, joint purchasing projects, university–industry collaborations, and industrial competency development programs organized throughout the year, we aim to further strengthen the collective power of our sector,” he said.
“The localization rate determines the competitiveness of our industry”
Pointing out that the automotive supply industry has evolved beyond being solely a parts manufacturing structure into one that develops technology and mobility solutions, Birinci said: “The fact that a significant portion of recently secured projects focuses on electric and hybrid vehicles clearly demonstrates this transformation. This transformation is also evident in the fact that localization rates in Türkiye’s automotive industry have become a strategic indicator determining our sector’s competitiveness. As of 2025, we see that localization has become one of the key indicators shaping the competitive strength of the Turkish automotive industry. Today, the average localization rate of OEMs in Türkiye stands at around 60%. While localization rates reach 70–75% in commercial vehicles and buses, passenger vehicles remain at 45–50%. In domestic brands and next-generation production, such as TOGG, this rate reaches 76%. Despite the areas in which we are strong, there are still critical technologies and components where we remain dependent on imports, with limited or no local production. To address this gap, as TAYSAD, together with Fark Labs and Boğaziçi Ventures, we launched the Mobility Technologies Fund. With a target budget of 25 million USD, the fund aims to support domestic initiatives in areas where local production remains insufficient today, from battery technologies and artificial intelligence to software and energy efficiency. For us, the Mobility Technologies Fund is one of the most concrete tools for elevating Türkiye’s automotive supply industry beyond the current 60% localization threshold toward a more value-added, strategic, and sustainable level. As TAYSAD, we aim to become one of the architects of this transformation,” he said.
“We support our members’ investments in next-generation technologies through the Mobility Technologies Fund” Türkiye ranks 10th in global vehicle production
Birinci stated that while 2025 was a year in which the industry tested its resilience, the focus in 2026 will shift toward creating value together rather than competing, with an emphasis on technology, people, and sustainability. “Our agenda for 2026 is very clear. The European Union’s 2030 targets, the ‘Made in Europe’ approach, and discussions around rules of origin will directly affect the future of supply chains. Electrification, software-oriented manufacturing, digitalization, and human resources will be at the center of this transformation. As TAYSAD, we approach this process with a vision of shaping the future. In this context, through the Mobility Technologies Fund, we support our members’ investments in next-generation technologies,” he said.
“Automechanika Istanbul provides an important platform for our industry”
Referring to the importance of international platforms in achieving their growth targets, TAYSAD Chairman Yakup Birinci made the following statements: “We see Automechanika Istanbul, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, as a highly valuable meeting point for our sector. By strengthening existing business relations, creating opportunities for discussions on new projects, and increasing interaction with international customers, Automechanika Istanbul provides an important platform for our industry. The show allows us to closely follow developments in the global supply chain, evaluate the transformation topics of our sector on-site, and develop strategies for the future. With its quarter-century legacy, the fair has become one of the most important international organizations for the automotive aftermarket industry, making the influence and importance of our sector visible on a global stage. For 25 years, this major gathering has strengthened both national and international collaborations within the automotive aftermarket industry while contributing to the creation of new opportunities and projects. In this context, we believe that Automechanika Istanbul 2026, which will be organized by Messe Frankfurt Istanbul and Hannover Fairs Turkey at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center between 19–22 May under the motto ‘25 years of leadership in the automotive aftermarket’, will make significant contributions to reinforcing our sector’s position in global markets and supporting the development of sustainable business relations.”