The 2025 data for the Turkish bus market has been released. According to TÜİK records, Otokar maintained its weight in the commercial vehicle segment by carrying its leadership in the market to the 17th consecutive year. The most striking development in the company's year-end evaluation came from the production line. Agreeing with Daimler Buses, one of Europe's bus giants, Otokar will start the production of Mercedes-Benz branded buses at its facilities in Sakarya.
Otokar, under the Koç Group, shared its 2025 activity report and market data. Despite contractions in the commercial vehicle market and global competition, the company maintained its market share by accounting for 1 out of every 3 buses sold in the domestic market. However, the real strategic development on the Otokar front was not just sales figures, but the shift in its role within the global supply chain.
Sakarya Factory Enters Daimler's Production Network
One of the most critical industrial moves of 2025 took place between Otokar and Daimler Buses. Within the scope of the agreement, the Conecto, Mercedes-Benz's model in the urban transportation segment, will be manufactured on Otokar's production lines in Sakarya.
This agreement carries the following implications for the Turkish automotive industry:
- Capacity Usage: Otokar eliminates the risk of idle capacity and maximizes export potential by producing for IVECO and now Mercedes-Benz, in addition to its own brand.
- Europe's Production Base: With this move, Sakarya has risen to a strategic position hosting 2 of Europe's 5 largest bus manufacturers (Daimler and Otokar itself).
Market Data: Preference in Public and Tourism Sectors Unchanged
Otokar Assistant General Manager Responsible for Commercial Vehicles, Kerem Erman, attributed the background of the 17-year leadership to the strategy of "responding correctly to market needs." Especially in 2025, the preference for Otokar's Kent and Sultan models in increasing municipal and public bus tenders was decisive in sustaining leadership. The wide product range extending from 6 meters to 21 meters enabled the company to consolidate its market share in different segments (Service, Tourism, Public Transportation).
Technology Export: Autonomous Vehicles on European Roads
Another headline standing out in Otokar's 2025 report card was value-added technology exports. The Level 4 autonomous bus e-Centro, developed by the company with its own R&D resources, completed test processes in Hungary and entered the Spanish market. The vehicle, which started serving in Madrid, serves as a reference point demonstrating that Türkiye is a country developing software and technology, not just assembly.
Growth in Truck and Light Commercial Segments
The company manages risk distribution by not relying solely on the bus segment. Recording a 21% growth with the Atlas model in the light truck market, Otokar also started to increase its share with Foton Tunland in the pick-up market, which it entered at the end of 2024.
