Turkey 1998-1999: Ford Transit #1, Renault 12 still strong

The Renault 12 ranks #2 in Turkey in 1999.

Small dip for the Turkish new car market in 1998 at -7.5% to 430,296 sales. Renault (-0.6%) improves its share to 21.9% while Ford (+0.4%) overtakes Tofas (-35.8%) to snap the 2nd spot overall with 9.7% share. Fiat (-1.5%) stays at #4 just as VW (+43%) and Hyundai (+25.3%) both progress. Peugeot (+29.5%) and Mitsubishi (+2.1%) also post satisfying gains in the remainder of the Top 10 but Toyota (-35.9%) and Opel (-25%) both crater. We welcome Proton at #19.

Model-wise, the locally produced Ford Transit (+10.4%) takes the lead with 6.4% share in a market way more fragmented than just a few years ago. The Renault 9 (-30.4%) is still alive but drops to #2 ahead of the Renault 19 (-6.3%) up three spots on last year to #3. The Hyundai Accent (+46.4%) surges 8 ranks to #4 while the valiant Renault 12 (-19.6%) still manages an excellent 5th place for the 2nd year in a row. Former leader the Tofas Sahin (-24.2%) is down to #6 overall. The Renault Megane (+916.5%) is an instant blockbuster, ending the year at #7. The VW Polo (+21.3%) also cracks the Top 10 at #8.

The Ford Transit is the best-selling vehicle in Turkey in 1998 and 1999.

In 1999, sales drop -12.2% to 377,986. Renault (-16.5%) remains a distant leader despite falling faster than the market to 20.8% share whereas Ford (+3.3%) goes against the grain with a small uptick leading it to 11.4% share. Fiat (-3.9%), VW (-0.4%), Hyundai (-23.7%) and Opel (-5.3%) all take advantage of the freefall of Tofas (-38.8%) down four spots to #7 overall with 6.3% share. Peugeot (+22.9%) is up two ranks to #8 while Lada is back at #12 with 1.8% share.

The Ford Transit (-5.4%) easily keeps the top spot with 6.9% share with the #2 being a true surprise: the Renault 12 (-13.8%), originally born in 1969, survives and thrives in Turkey. The Renault Megane (-6.6%) improves further to #3 while Renault places three models in the Top 4: the R19 (-25.5%) ranks #4. The Hyundai Accent (-29.1%) and Tofas Sahin (-27.2%) both suffer but the later still ranks #6. The Opel Astra (+12.2%) and Fiat Palio (+40.6%) break into the Top 10 for the first time at #7 and #8 respectively. The new Ford Focus lands at #11.

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

Full Year 1998 and 1999 Top 42 All brands and Top 175 All models below.