The new tax regulation published in the Official Gazette is changing the balance. The rise of US and Chinese vehicles, the situation of Japanese brands, and a strategic roadmap for fleet managers.
The new tax regulation published in the Official Gazette on September 22, 2025, which created an "earthquake" effect in the automotive sector, continues to be the main agenda of the market months later. This strategic change not only increased the prices of new vehicles but also fundamentally altered the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), depreciation calculations, and the future of the second-hand vehicle market for corporate fleets. This move targeting vehicles imported from countries outside the EU and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) opened the door to a new era in automotive trade. So, which brands hit the cost wall in this new equation, and which models opened opportunity windows? Here is the new constitution of automotive with the 2026 vision.
This step taken by the government to curb the current account deficit, reduce import pressure, and protect domestic production brought heavy taxes under the name of "Additional Financial Liability" especially on vehicles coming from countries without a Free Trade Agreement with Turkey. When we delve into the details, we see that the system is not just a simple rate increase; instead, it completely breaks the competitiveness of low-priced imported vehicles with "minimum dollar amounts" determined for each vehicle type. The regulation directly affects a very wide production geography from Japan to Mexico, from South Africa to China.
Why Should You Lease Instead of Buying in This Tax Complexity? The automotive tax system in Turkey is extremely dynamic and can change overnight. The September 22 regulation is the most concrete proof of this. Tying your company capital to a model that "inflates in price" or "shrinks in market" with a change in the tax system poses a serious financial risk for your business. For example, when the tax of a Japanese SUV you purchased increases, its maintenance and part costs also skyrocket indexed to foreign currency. However, when you choose LenaCars' corporate leasing system, you are not affected by such tax shocks at all. Thanks to your fixed-price lease agreement, your monthly cost does not change no matter how much tax rates increase. Instead of trapping your capital in a depreciating metal mass and tax uncertainty, you can use it to grow your core business and demonstrate your financial intelligence. LenaCars manages tax risks for you, leaving you only the comfort of driving.
In this guide prepared with our strategy team, we analyze with figures the technical details of the new tax table, which brands came out profitable from this process, and which models fleet managers should "avoid" to protect their budgets.
The new regulation, while protecting Turkey's Customs Union with the EU and Free Trade Agreements with other countries, subjected all "import" channels outside this umbrella to additional tax. Here are those cost increases item by item:
| Fuel and Engine Type | Additional Tax Rate (%) | Minimum Customs Value ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol, Diesel & Mild Hybrid | +25% | $6,000 |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | +30% | $7,000 |
| Fully Electric Vehicles (BEV) | +30% | $8,500 |
Analysis Note: The "Minimum Amount" application aims to make cheap vehicle imports practically impossible. For example, for a petrol vehicle with a customs entry price of $15,000, the 25% tax ($3,750) is not collected, but the base limit of $6,000 is. This means a sudden price increase of over 40% in low-segment vehicles.
Tax regulations do not always bring only losses; they create a significant competitive advantage (Arbitrage) for some segments and origins. Here are the hidden winners of this regulation:
Previously, due to reciprocity laws, the heavy tax burden on US-produced vehicles (BMW X5/X7, Tesla Model Y US-Spec, Ford Explorer) reaching up to 60%-70% levels was indirectly stabilized with this general regulation. The "gap" with their European-origin competitors narrowed. For companies considering upper-segment leasing, US-origin premium vehicles are now a much more rational option.
Chinese giants (e.g., BYD, Chery) that decided to establish factories in Turkey or have investment incentive certificates gained the right to be exempt from these new additional taxes. While the prices of Japanese and Mexican production competitors increased by 25%, the fact that investor Chinese brands kept their prices stable turned them into an unrivaled "price/performance" leader in both individual and corporate markets.
The biggest cost blow of this regulation was taken by the following regions, which are very strong in the Turkish market and known for their imported models:
Models imported directly from Japan and known for being bestsellers until today (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic Sedan Import, Nissan X-Trail) hit the 25% additional financial liability wall. Although locally produced Corolla or Sakarya-produced models are exempt from this situation, a noticeable increase in monthly leasing and purchasing costs of "iconic" models originating from Japan has become inevitable.
Popular models produced by global brands in these locations due to logistical advantages (e.g., Volkswagen Polo - South Africa, Audi Q5 - Mexico, some upper-segment models of Hyundai - Korea) fall into the new tax bracket. Especially in imported B and C segment passenger cars, which are highly preferred by fleet managers, TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculations had to be revised upwards by 15%-18% after this regulation.
If you have a fleet contract based on vehicles from Mexico, Japan, or non-FTA countries and are approaching the renewal period, shifting your route to EU-produced models or Turkey's domestic production power such as Togg, Fiat Egea, Renault Clio/Megane, and Ford Transit group will allow you to protect your annual operational budget by 20%. If you are interested in US-origin premium SUVs, you can consider this transition period as an "opportunity window."
The market values of vehicles (especially Japanese-origin) whose zero-kilometer prices increased overnight due to tax will also react upwards in the short term in the second-hand market. If you have vehicles from this group, structuring your sales (disposal) strategy to realize this tax increase can provide your company with additional cash inflow.
No. This regulation only covers vehicles coming from countries that are not members of the European Union (EU) and do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey. Vehicles coming from EU countries like Germany, France, Spain, or countries like the United Kingdom that are our FTA partners are exempt from this additional tax.
Technically, this is not an SCT increase, but an "Additional Financial Liability." However, since it is added to the cost at the import stage, it also raises the SCT and VAT base. As a result, the price increase for the end-user is felt above the stated 25%-30% rates due to the multiplier effect.
Tax laws in Turkey are applied according to the rules at the time of "registration." If your vehicle has not passed customs and registration (license plate) procedures are not completed, even if you have paid a deposit, you will be affected by the new tax rates. To avoid this uncertainty, renting vehicles in stock is always the safest harbor.
In corporate leasing, existing active contracts are not affected by the tax increase; the amount you pay remains fixed throughout the contract. However, for new leasing requests, rental fees have been updated according to the new tax rates as the purchase costs of vehicles have increased across the market.
The regulation supports environmentally friendly technologies but has made gradations according to the technology level. Conventional hybrids receive a 25% additional load, while Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) and fully electric vehicles are subject to a 30% additional tax. This is part of the strategy to maintain the competitive power of the domestic production Togg.
The most efficient structure consists of models produced in Europe or domestically, free from tax risk, with a "Pool Mileage" application and full operational leasing (full maintenance) package. This way, neither the September 22 nor future possible regulations can create a surprise deficit in your company budget.
Do not let changing tax bases, additional customs liabilities, and uncertainties in the second-hand market disrupt your company's cash flow. Let's prepare a Free TCO (Total Cost) Analysis tailored for your company; establish the most efficient and tax-advantaged fleet structure unaffected by the regulation with LenaCars expertise.
Request Free Fleet Analysis Now → 📞 Connect to Expert Fleet Consultant10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
The new tax regulation published in the Official Gazette is changing the balance. The rise of US and Chinese vehicles, the situation of Japanese brands, and a strategic roadmap for fleet managers.
The new tax regulation published in the Official Gazette on September 22, 2025, which created an "earthquake" effect in the automotive sector, continues to be the main agenda of the market months later. This strategic change not only increased the prices of new vehicles but also fundamentally altered the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), depreciation calculations, and the future of the second-hand vehicle market for corporate fleets. This move targeting vehicles imported from countries outside the EU and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) opened the door to a new era in automotive trade. So, which brands hit the cost wall in this new equation, and which models opened opportunity windows? Here is the new constitution of automotive with the 2026 vision.
This step taken by the government to curb the current account deficit, reduce import pressure, and protect domestic production brought heavy taxes under the name of "Additional Financial Liability" especially on vehicles coming from countries without a Free Trade Agreement with Turkey. When we delve into the details, we see that the system is not just a simple rate increase; instead, it completely breaks the competitiveness of low-priced imported vehicles with "minimum dollar amounts" determined for each vehicle type. The regulation directly affects a very wide production geography from Japan to Mexico, from South Africa to China.
Why Should You Lease Instead of Buying in This Tax Complexity? The automotive tax system in Turkey is extremely dynamic and can change overnight. The September 22 regulation is the most concrete proof of this. Tying your company capital to a model that "inflates in price" or "shrinks in market" with a change in the tax system poses a serious financial risk for your business. For example, when the tax of a Japanese SUV you purchased increases, its maintenance and part costs also skyrocket indexed to foreign currency. However, when you choose LenaCars' corporate leasing system, you are not affected by such tax shocks at all. Thanks to your fixed-price lease agreement, your monthly cost does not change no matter how much tax rates increase. Instead of trapping your capital in a depreciating metal mass and tax uncertainty, you can use it to grow your core business and demonstrate your financial intelligence. LenaCars manages tax risks for you, leaving you only the comfort of driving.
In this guide prepared with our strategy team, we analyze with figures the technical details of the new tax table, which brands came out profitable from this process, and which models fleet managers should "avoid" to protect their budgets.
The new regulation, while protecting Turkey's Customs Union with the EU and Free Trade Agreements with other countries, subjected all "import" channels outside this umbrella to additional tax. Here are those cost increases item by item:
| Fuel and Engine Type | Additional Tax Rate (%) | Minimum Customs Value ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol, Diesel & Mild Hybrid | +25% | $6,000 |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | +30% | $7,000 |
| Fully Electric Vehicles (BEV) | +30% | $8,500 |
Analysis Note: The "Minimum Amount" application aims to make cheap vehicle imports practically impossible. For example, for a petrol vehicle with a customs entry price of $15,000, the 25% tax ($3,750) is not collected, but the base limit of $6,000 is. This means a sudden price increase of over 40% in low-segment vehicles.
Tax regulations do not always bring only losses; they create a significant competitive advantage (Arbitrage) for some segments and origins. Here are the hidden winners of this regulation:
Previously, due to reciprocity laws, the heavy tax burden on US-produced vehicles (BMW X5/X7, Tesla Model Y US-Spec, Ford Explorer) reaching up to 60%-70% levels was indirectly stabilized with this general regulation. The "gap" with their European-origin competitors narrowed. For companies considering upper-segment leasing, US-origin premium vehicles are now a much more rational option.
Chinese giants (e.g., BYD, Chery) that decided to establish factories in Turkey or have investment incentive certificates gained the right to be exempt from these new additional taxes. While the prices of Japanese and Mexican production competitors increased by 25%, the fact that investor Chinese brands kept their prices stable turned them into an unrivaled "price/performance" leader in both individual and corporate markets.
The biggest cost blow of this regulation was taken by the following regions, which are very strong in the Turkish market and known for their imported models:
Models imported directly from Japan and known for being bestsellers until today (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic Sedan Import, Nissan X-Trail) hit the 25% additional financial liability wall. Although locally produced Corolla or Sakarya-produced models are exempt from this situation, a noticeable increase in monthly leasing and purchasing costs of "iconic" models originating from Japan has become inevitable.
Popular models produced by global brands in these locations due to logistical advantages (e.g., Volkswagen Polo - South Africa, Audi Q5 - Mexico, some upper-segment models of Hyundai - Korea) fall into the new tax bracket. Especially in imported B and C segment passenger cars, which are highly preferred by fleet managers, TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculations had to be revised upwards by 15%-18% after this regulation.
If you have a fleet contract based on vehicles from Mexico, Japan, or non-FTA countries and are approaching the renewal period, shifting your route to EU-produced models or Turkey's domestic production power such as Togg, Fiat Egea, Renault Clio/Megane, and Ford Transit group will allow you to protect your annual operational budget by 20%. If you are interested in US-origin premium SUVs, you can consider this transition period as an "opportunity window."
The market values of vehicles (especially Japanese-origin) whose zero-kilometer prices increased overnight due to tax will also react upwards in the short term in the second-hand market. If you have vehicles from this group, structuring your sales (disposal) strategy to realize this tax increase can provide your company with additional cash inflow.
No. This regulation only covers vehicles coming from countries that are not members of the European Union (EU) and do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey. Vehicles coming from EU countries like Germany, France, Spain, or countries like the United Kingdom that are our FTA partners are exempt from this additional tax.
Technically, this is not an SCT increase, but an "Additional Financial Liability." However, since it is added to the cost at the import stage, it also raises the SCT and VAT base. As a result, the price increase for the end-user is felt above the stated 25%-30% rates due to the multiplier effect.
Tax laws in Turkey are applied according to the rules at the time of "registration." If your vehicle has not passed customs and registration (license plate) procedures are not completed, even if you have paid a deposit, you will be affected by the new tax rates. To avoid this uncertainty, renting vehicles in stock is always the safest harbor.
In corporate leasing, existing active contracts are not affected by the tax increase; the amount you pay remains fixed throughout the contract. However, for new leasing requests, rental fees have been updated according to the new tax rates as the purchase costs of vehicles have increased across the market.
The regulation supports environmentally friendly technologies but has made gradations according to the technology level. Conventional hybrids receive a 25% additional load, while Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) and fully electric vehicles are subject to a 30% additional tax. This is part of the strategy to maintain the competitive power of the domestic production Togg.
The most efficient structure consists of models produced in Europe or domestically, free from tax risk, with a "Pool Mileage" application and full operational leasing (full maintenance) package. This way, neither the September 22 nor future possible regulations can create a surprise deficit in your company budget.
Do not let changing tax bases, additional customs liabilities, and uncertainties in the second-hand market disrupt your company's cash flow. Let's prepare a Free TCO (Total Cost) Analysis tailored for your company; establish the most efficient and tax-advantaged fleet structure unaffected by the regulation with LenaCars expertise.
Request Free Fleet Analysis Now → 📞 Connect to Expert Fleet Consultant10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.