Turkey 1996-1997: Renault and R9 take charge in recovering market

Although its production stopped in 1989 in the rest of the world, the Renault 9 survives in Turkey.

In 1996, the Turkish new car market bounces back up 17.6% to 296,387 units. Big event atop the brands ranking: Renault (-1.5%) topples long term leader Tofas (-32.9%) to become the most popular carmaker in the country with 23% share vs. 16.9%. Renault produces most of the models it sells in Turkey locally. Toyota (+27.5%) improves to 9.2% share in third place with the rest of the Top 6 being unchanged on last year: Fiat (+49.8%), Opel (+132.6%) and Ford (+59.5%) follow. VW (+344%), Hyundai (+108.9%), BMW (+42.9%) and Nissan (+361.3%) also post stunning YoY gains.

We also have a big change in the models charts: the Renault 9 (-6.3%) takes the lead with 9.4% share, note its production outside Turkey had stopped as early as 1989 but it remains alive here. The Toyota Corolla (+24%) surges three spots on last year to #2 with 8.8% share ahead of a valiant Renault 12 (-12.7%) at 6.6%. Leader last year, the Tofas Sahin (-43.6%) freefalls to #4, only marginally outselling the Dogan (-23.2%). The Renault 19 (+23.3%) stays at #6 ahead of the Opel Vectra (+153.4%).

Turkish sales confirm their recovery in 1997 at +57% to 465,322 units. Renault (+39.1%) holds onto the top spot but sees its share drop from 23% to 20.4%. Tofas (+21.4%) also reduces its footprint to 13.1% vs. 16.9% last year. The performer of the year is Ford (+238.2%) up three spots to #3 thanks to one new locally made model as we’ll see below. Fiat (+41.8%) and Opel (+59.4%) camp on their 1996 ranking to round out the Top 5. Outstanding performances also by Mitsubishi (+16213.3%!), Hyundai (+467.5%) and VW (+327.3%).

Over in the models charts, the Renault 9 (+26.1%) repeats at #1 with 7.5% share, with the Toyota Corolla (-4.3%) in tow like last year. The Ford Transit makes its first appearance in the ranking, directly at #3. It is followed by the Tofas Sahin (+32.8%) staying at #4 above the Renault 12 (+22.6%) and Renault 19 (+23.3%). The Tofas Dogan (+17.9%), Fiat Uno (+30.2%), Opel Vectra (+0.7%) and Tofas Kartal (+10.3%) complete the Top 10 but all trail the market.

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Full Year 1996 and 1997 Top 50 All brands and Top 283 All models below.