End of an Era: Beloved Car Model Discontinued in Turkey! What's Next?

A chapter closes in Türkiye's Automotive history as the reign of the subcompact sedan officially ends. For years, Türkiye has been dubbed a "sedan nation," but those days appear to be fading fast. New data paints a clear picture: the once-ubiquitous small sedan is vanishing.

End of an Era: Beloved Car Model Discontinued in T...

According to the latest figures released by the Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association (ODMD) for January 2026, zero – yes, zero – B-segment sedans were sold. Remember those Honda Citys, Citroen C-Elysees, and Renault Taliants? Last year they limped along with a paltry 570 units sold *total*. But this January? Gone. Extinct. It's a pretty stark indicator of how quickly tastes and priorities can change.

I remember a time when these B-segment sedans were *the* go-to choice, especially for rental fleets and folks on a tight budget. They were practical, fuel-efficient, and relatively affordable. But rising prices – across the board, really – and the irresistible lure of the SUV have proven too much. We saw the writing on the wall back in 2025, but to see the complete collapse this January is still a bit of a shock. The "high-riding" allure of SUVs and crossovers, with their perceived extra safety and bolder styling, has simply overshadowed the sedan's traditional advantages of affordability and trunk space.

The shift is so pronounced that automakers are rethinking their entire production strategies. Some are ditching small sedans altogether, redirecting investment into the SUV craze. I've even heard whispers of manufacturers rebranding themselves as "SUV brands," which is quite a statement.

Interestingly, the C-segment sedan isn't disappearing quite as dramatically. The key difference? Electric models. In 2025, electric vehicles accounted for around 25,000 of the 247,000 sedans sold. Without those electric options, the C-segment's decline would have been much steeper. The lack of electric options in the B-sedan class seems to have been a major nail in that coffin.

The SUV's domination is undeniable. January 2026 saw SUVs snag a whopping 60% of the market share, with over 36,786 units sold out of a total of 61,000+ sales. Sedans, comparatively, held onto about 22.8%. And the rise of the B-SUV segment is nothing short of remarkable, with over 175,000 units sold throughout 2025. It's safe to say that B-SUVs are not a passing fad; they're here to stay.

Don't write off sedans completely, though. In the mid-range, upper segments, and the luxury class, sedans are likely to remain relevant, particularly for corporate fleets and buyers prioritizing prestige. But the sun has certainly set on the era of the ubiquitous subcompact sedan in Türkiye. It was a good run, but times change.