Turkey is not yet considered the country of origin of electric car. However, this is about to change soon. The Turkish government wants to invest three billion US dollars in the development of an e-car and introduce its own electric car this year.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to promote the Turkish automotive industry and introduce the prototype of a first all-electric vehicle “Made in Turkey” back in December of this year. Industry Minister Mustafa Varank announced the project this weekend. This is part of a government modernization initiative for the Turkish industry.
In Turkey, three different electric models are to be developed
At the weekend more information was announced about the ambitious plans of the Turkish government. From the electric vehicle, three different models are to be developed, all of which are offered as sedan, station wagon, station wagon and SUV – even a roadster is planned.
The Minister of Industry confirmed the plans at the weekend: “We hope to be able to show in December the first home-produced model that can drive”. In his opinion, Turkey is the only country in the region that can build such a vehicle. This could create hundreds of jobs.
Market launch probably only in 2022
Already in the spring, the Turkish Minister of Industry Mustafa Varank had announced a Turkish electric car. By 2022, a Turkish electric car with 500 kilometers range should be built, he said at that time.
Five Turkish companies are responsible for development and production . Anadolu Grubu is a Turkish company that manufactures automobiles under the license of other car brands in Turkey. BMC is currently manufacturing trucks and armaments products. Kirka Holding, which produces automotive parts, Turkish communications provider Turkcell and Turkey’s third largest industrial and financial holding, Zorlu.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish revolution, the electric vehicle is ready
Manager of this joint venture is to become a former Bosch manager, wrote the German automobile magazine Auto, Motor & Sport in the spring. 85 percent of the components of the electric car to come from Turkish suppliers, said Varank at that time. As early as 2015, Turkey had agreed with the new Saab owner NEVS to build a Turkish Volksstromer based on the Saab 9-3.
The electric vehicle is just one of many projects that the Turkish state wants to use to boost its industry and make the country independent of expensive imports. However, the trade deficit also depends on the vulnerability of the Turkish economy and the weak Turkish lira. The new economic strategy is intended to improve the country’s situation until the centenary of the Turkish revolution.
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