Dr. E. Seyfi Moroğlu, Partner at Moroğlu Arseven, contributed to this article
Below is our assessment of legal developments in the Turkish automotive sector. Our assessment includes:
- Consideration of new regulations in the Turkish automotive sector, introduced in response to European Union harmonization studies, government promotion issues, and consumer protection issues.
- Consideration of amendments and new regulations regarding the type of approvals for vehicle parts, issued by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, as well as a Sector Report published by TAYSAD (Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers).
- Brief information about Car-Sharing, a new format of transportation system in Turkey.
I. Turkish Automotive Sector as of June 2013 and Plan for the Near Future
According to a report published by TAYSAD, 584.621 vehicles were manufactured in Turkey between January and June 2013, a reduction of 0,3% compared to the same period in 2012. Of these vehicles, 303.783 are cars, 265.562 are commercial vehicles and 20.276 are tractors.
B) Export figures
For the period January to June 2013, 428.211 vehicles were exported from Turkey, an increase of 5% compared to the same period in 2012. Oyak Renault led the sector in this regard, exporting 142.979 vehicles between January and June 2013. Oyak Renault significantly increased its number of exported vehicles by 23% compared to the same period in 2012. According to the TAYSAD report, Toyota, Honda, Man, Temsa and Hattat Tarım have considerably reduced export activity in 2013.
The total industry export amount reached US$1,802,439,148, equal to an increase of 12% compared to the previous year.
C) Internal market figures
In Turkey, 292,106 vehicles were sold during the period January to June 2013, an increase of 19% compared with the same period in 2012. The first half of the year involved a 31% increase in imported vehicles compared to the same period in 2012.
While the sale of light commercial vehicles decreased, the sale of heavy commercial vehicles accounted for the internal market's overall sales increase.
Please note that for the January to June 2013 period, the total Turkish internal market has decreased by approximately 10%, compared to this same period in 2010.
The table below shows the figures and related rates for January to June 2012 and 2013.
In 2011, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce published a Strategy Certificate and Activity Plan for 2011-2014. Within the scope of improving legal and administrative regulations, the plan includes the following steps:
- Revise the related tax system in order to encourage use of eco-friendly vehicles,
- Create legal regulations in order to junk older vehicles and encourage junk companies,
- Synchronize Turkish legislation with the EU and United Nations approval regulations,
- Carry out market surveillance and inspection studies.
Some of these steps may only be carried out after various studies are conducted. Therefore, future automotive sector updates are expected to include discussion of the activity plan outlined above.
II. Recent Product Safety Regulations in relation to United Nations Regulations and European Union Harmonization Studies
Since 1999, Turkish legislation has adapted various regulations in response to European Union approval directives and United Nations obligatory technical requirements.
These regulations include the examination standards of motor vehicles used by the Turkish Standards Institute, to be approved by the Ministry Science, Industry and Technology.
The table below outlines recent regulations notified in the Official Gazette during 2013 and legislation which will be effective within this coming year.
Official Gazette |
Title of the Regulation |
Related EU Directive |
Notes |
12/10/2013-28793 |
Regulation regarding Type Approval of Masses and Sizes of Motor Vehicles and Trailers |
EU/1230/2012 |
The regulation determines new size standards for vehicles of type M, N and O. The regulation entered into force on 01/11/2013. Manufacturers must submit conformity certificates by 10/01/2014 (Temporary Article 1/3 of the Regulation). |
05/10/2013-28786 |
Amendment Regulation regarding Type Approval on Emission for Air Conditioning Systems of Motor Vehicles |
EC/40/2006 |
The regulation sets forth two restrictive amendments to the previous regulation. Briefly, the amendments consist of new duration restrictions for air conditioning systems for vehicles of type M, N and O. The regulation entered into force on 01/01/2013. |
05/10/2013-27786 28/04/2013-28629 |
Amendment Regulation regarding Type Approval of Motor Vehicles and Trailers |
EC/40/2006 EC/46/2007 |
The regulation provides various execution dates (05/10/2013, 01/11/2013 and 01/01/2014) for technical changes set out in different provisions of the Regulation. |
25/09/2013-28776 |
Amendment Regulation regarding Type Approval In Terms of Emissions of Heavy Duty Vehicles (EURO 6) and regarding Access to Maintenance Information |
EC/595/2009 |
The regulation includes a technical amendment necessary to comply with a related EU amendment. The Annex of the regulation changed. |
18/09/2013-28769 |
Regulation regarding Enhanced Urgent Braking Systems For Specific Types of Motor Vehicles |
EU/347/2012 |
The regulation sets forth standards for vehicle types of M2, M3, N2 and N3. The regulation entered into force on 18/09/2013. |
18/09/2013-28769 |
Regulation regarding the Type Approval of the Installation of the System of Warning for Detachment of the Band for Motor Vehicles |
EU/351/2012 |
The regulation sets forth standards for vehicle types of M2, M3, N2 and N3. The regulation entered into force on 01/11/2013. |
13/09/2013-28764 |
Amendment Regulation Regarding Vehicle Manufacturing, Modifications and Installation |
N/A |
In terms of the traffic security, the regulation states standards for vehicle types of M2, M3, N2 and N3. The significant aspect of the amendment includes modifications for handicapped persons. The regulation entered into force on 13/09/2013. |
13/09/2013-28764 |
Amendment Regulation Regarding Vehicle Manufacturing, Modifications and Installation |
N/A |
In terms of the traffic security, the regulation states standards for vehicle types of M2, M3, N2 and N3. The significant aspect of the amendment includes modifications for handicapped persons. The regulation entered into force on 13/09/2013. |
18/07/2013-28712 |
Regulation regarding Examination of Devices for Measurement of Exhaust Gas Emissions |
N/A |
The regulation determines standards for service units and their certificates for the examination. In principle, the regulation entered into force on 18/07/2013. However, some provisions regarding the ordering of the new examination rules and responsibilities will enter into force on 01/09/2014. |
16/02/2013-28561 |
Amendment Regulation Regarding the General Security of Motor Vehicles and Trailers, Systems, Components and Separate Technical Units |
EC/661/2009 |
This amendment Regulation was necessary due to EU directives (EU/ 407/2011 and EU/523/2012). The Regulation relates to vehicle types M, N and O. The regulation entered into force on 16/02/2013 to become effective as of 25/01/2012. |
20/09/2013-28771 |
Statement Regarding the Application of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Technical Regulations For Wheeled Vehicles and Components and Parts Installed Thereon, as well as Repeal of Some Statements |
N/A |
For the Harmonization of Turkish legislation with United Nations Regulation, technical standards are inserted into the annex of the statement. These include pedestrian security, approval of light resources in vehicles, installation of warning systems for lane changing and enhanced urgent braking systems. |
III. Issues in Consumer Law Regarding the Automotive Sector
Outlined below are significant recent decisions by the Court of Appeals related to consumer law in the automotive sector. These decisions also consider regulations introduced under the new Code regarding Protection of Consumers numbered 6502 published on the Official Gazette dated 28 November 2013 and numbered 28835 ("New Consumer Code"). This Code will repeal the Code on Protection numbered 4077 and will enter into force six months after the publication date.
IV. Recent Investment Incentive Amendments Applicable to the Automotive Sector
The Communiqué on State Support to Investments ("Communiqué") outlines various matters related to investment incentives available in relation to the Turkish automotive sector. Article 2 of the Communiqué states there are three types of the incentives: General Investment Incentives, Incentives for Large Scale or Regional Investment, and Sector Based Incentives.
The Amending Communiqué on State Support to the Investments ("Amending Communiqué") affects investments made from 19 June 2012. If investments meet certain criteria, the Amending communiqué states they are deemed to be priority investments and may be eligible to receive reductions in tax rates, insurance premiums and interest rates for bank credit, among other benefits. According to Article 4 of the Amending Communiqué, the following investments are deemed to be priority investments within the scope of Article 17 of the Communiqué:
- Investments in the motor road vehicles industry valued at TRY 300 million or more,
- Motor investments valued at TRY 75 million or more,
- Investments related to motor parts, drive line parts and automotive electronics valued at TRY 20 million or more
Investments made in Region V are also deemed to be priority investments and are eligible for the associated incentives, irrespective of whether the investment meets the thresholds stated above (please see the table below for information about which cities are included in Region V). However, investments located in Region VI will not benefit from the incentives. For these investments, the specific incentives determined for Region VI will continue to apply.
V. Car-Sharing: A new format of transport
Recently, the Turkish automotive sector and consumers have discovered Car-Sharing as an alternative to car rental. Car-Sharing has been common in other countries for approximately 25 years. Car-Sharing allows consumers and companies to rent a range of cars, from specific places, for any period desired by the consumer.
Consumers who wish to benefit from the system become members of the car-sharing company's system via the relevant website. These systems provide the consumer with a username and password, as well as a member card. This card allows consumers to make reservations for any car and rental period, collected from pre-determined places.
Car-Sharing sector leaders in Turkey are Mobicar and Yoyo. These systems are attractive to customers, companies, or other groups because they allow easy use of a variety of comfortable cars, on a day-to-day basis. This eliminates the disadvantages of urban transport and reduces car ownership rates, without eliminating the inherent comfort of private transportation.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.