Exports From Automotive Sector Increase By 49.8 Percent

BURSA - Exports from automotive sector increased 49.8 percent to 7 billion 191 million thousand U.S. dollars in 2003.
In 2002, exports from automotive sector had been 4 billion 798 million U.S. dollars.
Uludag Exporters' Associations (UIB) told the A.A on Saturday that exports of by-industry products increased 25.7 percent to 2 billion 390 million 142 thousand U.S. dollars while exports of automobiles increased to 2 billion 249 million 215 thousand U.S. dollars.
Meanwhile, exports from automotive sector rose 51 percent to 754 million 526 thousand U.S. dollars in December of 2003. In the same period of 2002, exports had been 500 million 580 thousand U.S. dollars.
The sector exported its products to 14 free zones and 173 countries and autonomous regions in 2003.
Germany is ranked first with 1 billion 187 million 117 thousand U.S. dollars among the countries to which automotive exports were made. France, Italy, Spain and Britain followed Germany.
The sector exported its products to Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Mozambique, East Timor, St. Kitts-Nevi, Burma, Melilla, Central African Republic, San Marino, Mongolia and Botswana for the first time.
The exports of automotive and by industry products in 2003 are as follows:

     .                                          thousand   difference 


                                              (U.S. dollar)   (%) 


     -------------------------------------     ----------   -------- 


     Automotive by-industry                     2.390.142     25,7 


     Passenger cars                             2.249.215     72,6 


     Bus-minibus-midibus                          512.715     47,7


     Vessels-boats-ships                          427.688     84,8


     Tank-armored vehicles                        183.162     70,5 


     Tractors                                     156.384    300,5


     Bicycle-motorcycle                            28.140     98,3


     Towings                                       23.641     -1,9


     Railway vehicles                              21.157    118,1


     Motor vehicles on special propose             20.495     29,6     


     Aircraft-spacecraft                           12.773    -82,8


     Towings on special purpose                       258      1,3

     .                                        thousand    difference 


     Countries                             (U.S. dollar)    (%) 


     ------------------------------------    ----------   ---------- 


     Germany                                  1.187.117       35,1 


     France                                     873.346       49,8     


     Italy                                      797.422       28,9 


     Spain                                      375.998      129,3 


     Britain                                    367.655       33,1    


     Istanbul Leather Free Zone                 223.539       25,1 


     Israel                                     184.145       70,7 


     Malaysia                                   180.663       66,7     


     Greece                                     168.295      173,5    


     Russia                                     159.719       77,7