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Turkey launches joint venture for first domestically-produced car

Erdoğan says prototype of first car likely to be ready in 2019, sales to begin in 2021

Ersin Çelik
14:26 - 2/11/2017 Thursday
Update: 14:58 - 2/11/2017 Thursday
Yeni Şafak
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Thursday that Turkey launched a joint venture to build the first domestically-produced car.

“We expect the automobile prototype to be ready in 2019, and for sales to begin in 2021. We do not want the slightest delay, and if necessary, a special team from the presidency will be assigned the duty of following this project. We must support those undertaking this project,” Erdoğan said at the Presidential Palace complex in Ankara.

The president announced that five firms - Anadolu Group (Isuzu), BMC, Kıraça Holding (Karsan Automotive) Turkcell and Zorlu Holding (Vestel) - formed the Joint Venture Group.

“On the condition that I pay for it, I would like to say that from now that I will make the purchase of the first automobile put on the market. I have no doubts that the automobile that will be produced will be suitable for the needs of the future,” Erdoğan said.

The firms will operate under the coordination of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).


It's not just about making the parts of the car, it's also about the software that we develop. The direction in which the economy and technology is going is certain. We have to adjust ourselves accordingly. We missed the previous opportunities because we struggled with our own internal affairs, it was difficult for entrepreneurs to engage in business,” he added.

“They may also lean toward producing hybrid and electric vehicles. Regardless of their decision, we will provide all kinds of support so long as they enable the Turkish nation to realize its dream. We are excited about this project and our support is not exclusive to the joint venture group. We will support anyone who has the intention to sincerely carry our country forward and bring us a step closer to our goals,” Erdoğan said.

“Turn this project into a worldwide brand”

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım also spoke on Thursday regarding the domestically-produced car project.

“Our country is making progress daily in the automotive sector. Today, a great project was initiated. The automotive sector demonstrated the best performance in terms of exports. Turkey has become adept in the automotive sector. We have the capacity to produce domestic vehicles. We, as the state, will provide support and remove obstacles. It is your job to turn this project into a worldwide brand,” Yıldırım said.

“We rank 15th globally in automotive production, and our production rate has grown by 35.31 percent. This sector provides six percent of Turkey’s employment. We will see in the coming years the importance of investing in this area and developing the public and private sector partnership. We need to take such steps to maintain our competitive edge in the automotive sector,” he added.

#Turkey
#Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
#domestically-produced car
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