Turkey's auto exports rise as Europe economy recovers

Turkey exported 12 percent more motor vehicles and parts in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2013, bringing in US$11.71 billion of revenue, according to data released by the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, or TIM on Wednesday.

The data showed that Turkey's automotive exports reached 157 countries and 14 free zones in the first six months of this year.

Germany accounted for 16.46 percent of the sector exports worth US$1.92 billion. Europe's biggest economy was followed by England, which imported US$1.25 billion worth of Turkish autos.

Exports to France reached US$1.2 billion and exports to Italy stood at US$958 million.

Meanwhile, TIM announced Tuesday that Turkish exports increased by 6.6 percent last month compared to the same time last year.

Total automotive exports to EU reached US$12.5 billion in June, as European countries' economies began to recover. The automobile industry alone registered US$2.03 billion in exports for June.

Turkey is the sixth-largest auto manufacturer and the top light commercial vehicles maker in Europe. Turkey's auto industry rolled out more than 1.2 million motor vehicles in 2013 under well-known brands including Toyota, Ford, Renault, Fiat, Honda and Hyundai.

Turkey's carmakers have been adding new models and increasing their factory capacities in Turkey for the last few years.