Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, stating that Turkey is one of the 14 largest manufacturers in the world in the automotive industry, said, “We have a serious production capacity. The sector maintains its positive outlook despite fluctuations despite the pandemic and war. As Turkey, we aspire to get the lion's share of the electric vehicle market, which will grow gradually with the effect of this positive atmosphere.” said.
Minister Varank spoke at the Line Landing Ceremony of Turkey's and Ford's First Fully Electric Commercial Vehicle E-Transit in Europe, held at Ford Otosan Kocaeli Plants in Kocaeli's Gölcük district. Emphasizing that they are witnessing an important day for the Turkish automotive industry, Varank noted that one of the first steps of a great vision spanning 10 years, the first vehicle of E-Transit to be exported to the European market by Ford Otosan, came off the production line.
18 EMPLOYMENT
Pointing out that Ford Otosan's production capacity has increased from 100 thousand to 455 thousand with its 650% electric commercial vehicle investment, Varank said, “In this way, Ford Otosan will be crowned the commercial vehicle production base of Europe. These vehicles to be exported will clinch the title of export champion. With the additional employment of 15 thousand people in the sub-industry, new job opportunities will be created for 18 thousand citizens.” used the phrases.
WE ARE ONE OF 14 MANUFACTURERS
Varank stated that by 2030, sales of electric vehicles in the world are expected to exceed 30 percent of all sales, and that the technological development in autonomous and connected vehicles continues rapidly. Noting that Turkey has a very high potential in the automotive industry with its existing infrastructure and qualified human resources, Varank said, “We are currently one of the 14 largest manufacturers in the world. We have a serious production capacity. The sector maintains its positive outlook despite fluctuations despite the pandemic and war. As Turkey, we aspire to get the lion's share of the electric vehicle market, which will grow gradually with the effect of this positive atmosphere.” said.
INVESTMENTS CONTINUE
Explaining that Ford Otosan continues to invest in Electric Transits, Varank said, “Ford has publicly announced that it will make a battery investment in Turkey. On the TOGG side, there are developments in terms of batteries along with passenger vehicles. Another development in the battery field is Aspilsan's Domestic Lithium Battery Production Facility. The facility is currently at the stage of mass production of the cylindrical cell. On the other hand, Turkish brands took the initiative in electric buses. Many of our companies have launched their electric buses, and there are even those who have succeeded in producing autonomous electric buses. No doubt there will be more to come. Of course, we need to emphasize a necessity here.” he said.
EXPORTED TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Noting that Turkey exports 80 percent of its automobile production to European countries, primarily Germany, England and France, Varank said, “In this context, the main industry and supply industry will be directly affected by the bans on internal combustion engines. That's why we have important issues ahead of us that we need to pay attention to. One of them is the conversion of existing capacity. The other is electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Finally, infrastructure and regulation arrangements for autonomous and connected vehicles.” used the phrases.
300 MILLION TL GRANT
Stating that they started a grant support program of 1500 million liras for the establishment of more than 300 high-speed charging stations all over Turkey, Varank also stated that they have reached the final stage in the roadmap they have prepared for mobility vehicles and technologies, and that although the roadmap studies continue, some actions have already begun to be implemented. stressed.
SUPPORTED BY THE MINISTRY
Minister Varank stated that Turkey's first and only domestic automatic transmission developed by Ford Otosan, which they launched 6 months ago, is also supported by the Ministry, adding, “We witnessed the birth of the innovation ecosystem in Turkey from scratch with these contributions provided by the state. Today, the ratio of R&D expenditures to national income is 1,09 percent. When we add the indirect support of our state to this, we see that these figures are around 1,5 percent. With these expenditures, our patent graph also started to rise. In 2021, European patent applications originating in Turkey increased by 21 percent compared to the previous year. At the moment, we have climbed one more step to the top of the European charts with these numbers. Hopefully, these figures will rise much higher with the investments made by the private sector in new technologies.” used the phrases.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE BASE OF EUROPE
Noting that Turkey will become Europe's electric vehicle base in the future with its experience in the automotive industry and its developing R&D ecosystem, Varank said, "From the moment Ford Otosan talked about its investment of 2 billion euros, we embraced this project with all relevant institutions of the state, upon the instruction of our President. We have included this strategic investment for Turkey within the scope of project-based incentives, because the investor is the benefactor of our country, just as the customer is the benefactor of the producers. Each of our investors working towards the goal of a big and strong Turkey has a place above our heads. Today, Turkey is a safe haven for everyone with its independent and determined stance, and today is the right time to invest in Turkey. Every new capacity to be created here will surely return to our entrepreneurs as added value.” said.
CALL INVESTOR
Calling national and international investors, Varank emphasized that Turkey's position in world trade has become much stronger with strategic developments, and said, "Come, invest in Turkey, both you and Turkey will win." said.
TURKISH ENGINEERS AND WORKERS MANUFACTURED
Ali Koç, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koç Holding and Chairman of the Board of Ford Otosan, said, “The production of Ford's first electric commercial model, E-Transit, in our country by Turkish engineers and workers, is an all-encompassing industry move that has grown step by step since the first years of the Republic of Turkey. is the result.” said.
Güven Özyurt, General Manager of Ford Otosan, said, “Today, we are proud of the landing of Turkey's first and Europe's most powerful fully electric commercial vehicle, E-Transit.” he said.
SIGNED THE VEHICLE
After the speeches, one of the workers presented a painting made of waste materials to Varank, who signed the vehicle.
Minister Varank, Kocaeli Governor Seddar Yavuz, Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, Koç Holding Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Ford Otosan Chairman Ali Koç, Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt, Türk-İş Secretary General and Turkish Metal Union President Pevrul Kavlak, invited guests and workers took a souvenir photo in front of the vehicle.
Afterwards, Minister Varank took the wheel and toured the factory with Ali Koç.
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