Automotive Exports June 2019

First domestic automobile to hit streets by 2022
In November 2017, Turkey rolled up its
sleeves to design and manufacture its
first indigenous automobile in a joint
venture formed by five of the largest
Turkish industrialists, all experienced
in their own areas of operation. While
the project continues at full speed with
intensive public and private efforts, it
is projected that the first domestic car
will hit Turkish streets by 2022, Industry
and Technology Minister Mustafa
Varank told Sabah daily in an interview.
Recalling a recent meeting with
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who
championed the project, Varank noted
that the line-drawing phase has been
completed and presented. The minister
noted that the process in the domestic
car began with the appointment of CEO
Mehmet Gürcan Karakaş, who assumed
the role in September 2018. “Business
plans have been made, and the plans
continue in accordance with the
schedule,” the industry and technology
minister said.
The 15-year plan of the project
envisions production of five models and
three facelift versions, Varank said.
The minister said the project is being
carried out by the private sector, and
they, as the government, are looking at
how can they contribute and help.
Varank said three-dimensional
drawings and engineering studies
continue. He said a team of 40
engineers in the company is dealing
with the research and development
(R&D) dimension of the project, saying
that the group is expected to reach 300
by the end of the year.
“The joint venture group will release
this model by catching up with the
era and exploring the window of
opportunity,” Varank noted. “I believe
this model will be quite popular. I
do not think there will be a market
shortage because the vehicle will be the
best electric car in its class. For this
purpose, we will carry out procedures
related to the infrastructure of electric
vehicles in Turkey as soon as possible.”
Five domestic firms - Anadolu Group,
BMC, Kök Group, Türkcell and Zorlu
Holding, with 19 percent of shares
each and the Union of Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
(TOBB) with 5 percent of shares, will
jointly lead the joint venture Turkey’s
Automobile Joint Venture Group
(TOGG).
Stressing that export will also be
possible since the automobile will
match contemporary requirements and
trends, Varank said they have received
positive responses from citizens, public
institutions and nongovernmental
organizations in this regard.
“With the introduction of electric cars,
technology is rapidly evolving in areas
such as driving techniques, smart city
planning and automobile software.
Upon switching to the electric car,
the whole industry began to change.
Therefore, we see Turkey’s automobile
project not only as an automobile
project but also as a project that will
transform the entire industry and
the automotive industry in Turkey.”
Suggesting that the mobility ecosystem
that will develop in the transformation
of the automotive sector will also an
important opportunity for Turkey in
the development of new technologies,
Varank noted that this is not just an
R&D project, but also a project to
produce a brand, so to speak.
June 2019
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