While most Chinese automakers faced stagnant sales in Turkey due to prohibitive tariffs, BYD achieved remarkable growth through strategic localization, emerging as the top-performing Chinese brand in the market.
Market Boom Overshadowed by Tariff Barriers
Turkey's light vehicle market reached record levels in 2025, with total sales hitting 1,368,400 units—a 10.5% year-over-year increase. However, Chinese brands collectively sold just 88,400 vehicles, showing virtually no growth compared to 2024 and significantly underperforming the overall market expansion.
The primary obstacle emerged from Turkey's tariff policy implemented in early 2025. The government imposed a 50% additional duty on Chinese-made combustion engine and hybrid vehicles, compounding the existing 10% base tariff to create a 60% total tax burden. Even electric and plug-in hybrid models faced 40% tariffs, eroding price competitiveness for most Chinese manufacturers.
BYD's Localization Masterstroke
BYD's foresight in establishing production facilities in Manisa, Turkey allowed the company to circumvent these trade barriers completely. The strategy yielded extraordinary results—BYD's 2025 Turkish sales surged to 45,537 units, representing 446.6% annual growth and securing its position as Turkey's best-selling Chinese automotive brand.
This success stemmed from deliberate strategic planning rather than market coincidence. While several Chinese automakers had expressed interest in Turkish production facilities, BYD remains the only company to have implemented concrete localization measures. The company's achievement serves as a case study in proactive market adaptation, demonstrating how local manufacturing can neutralize protectionist trade policies and strengthen competitive positioning.
The contrasting performance between BYD and its peers underscores a crucial lesson for international automotive expansion: operational execution outweighs market aspirations, and timely strategic implementation determines commercial success in challenging regulatory environments.