Turkey’s automotive market saw a decline in overall vehicle sales during the first seven months of 2026, yet the segment of electric and hybrid cars expanded to represent more than half of all new vehicles sold, according to industry data released Wednesday.

Between January and July, a total of 259,970 electric and hybrid vehicles were registered, accounting for 51.7 percent of the total market. This marks a notable increase in the adoption of low-emission vehicles, with hybrid models driving much of the growth.

Despite this shift, overall new car sales in Turkey fell 12.14 percent year-on-year to 502,712 units in the January-July period. Sales of light commercial vehicles also declined by 5.05 percent during the same timeframe, reaching 136,253 units.

Breaking down passenger car sales by fuel type, gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 208,046 units sold, while hybrid cars reached 165,924 units. The combined sales of electric and hybrid automobiles outpaced traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, reflecting changing consumer preferences and growing awareness of environmental concerns.

The data, compiled by the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD), underscores a significant transition within Turkey’s automotive sector amid broader market contractions. Analysts note that government incentives, expanding charging infrastructure, and advances in vehicle technology have contributed to increasing consumer uptake of electrified vehicles.

While challenges remain, including economic factors impacting overall vehicle demand, the trend toward electric and hybrid vehicles represents a pivotal development in Turkey’s efforts to modernize its vehicle fleet and reduce emissions.