02.06.2018 Ankara
An important milestone has been reached in the efforts of the Joint Enterprise Group, comprised of the Anatolia Group, BMC, Kök Group (İnan Kıraç), Turkcell and Zorlu, as per the protocol signed under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, and under Science, Industry and Technology Ministry and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey’s coordination on the 2nd of November, 2017. Signatures for the company's incorporation and partnership agreements were set down on May 31st, with the goal of creating a domestic brand that would compete globally.
The company has been named “Turkey's Automobile Initiative Group Industry
and Trade Co.” Anadolu Group, BMC, Kök Group, Zorlu Holding and Turkcell's
shares are 19% each while the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
has a 5% share.
- M. Gürcan Karakaş, one of the
most successful Turkish managers in the world, joins company
One of the most successful Turkish executives in the global automotive
world, M. Gürcan Karakas was appointed head of Turkey's Automobile. Having
attained significant success in both Turkey and the international market, M. Gürcan
Karakaş will lead the way to making Turkey’s Automobile one of the world's most
important automotive companies. M. Gürcan Karakaş will assume his duties
starting on the 1st of September, 2018.
- Fundamental design and
engineering steps being taken
The design process, which is of great importance in the creation of the
domestic automobile brand, has been launched. Support has been received from important
domestic and international names during the design process. The design is aimed
to be presented to the public along with the prototype vehicle at the end of
2019.
- Turkey's Automobile will be
built on the technologies of the future, easily meeting all the requirements of
the age
Work has begun on the platform which will form the basis of a new generation
of vehicles; platform characteristics have been determined taking into
consideration the important technologies of the times: electric, interconnected
and autonomous driving.
Work on the long awaited Turkey's Automobile continues as planned and
with full determination. In the future, key positions for the company will be
filled, internal structures will be started; engineering and design work will
be accelerated.
It was emphasized that, with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology
Faruk Özlü and the Turkish people, work is determinedly underway to produce a
brand that the Turkish nation can be proud of in the domestic and international
markets.
- TOBB President M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu
Extending his wishes for the success of the company, TOBB President
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “As per the task set to us by the President on May
24, 2017, at the 73rd TOBB General Assembly, we’ve been hard at work
to make Turkey’s dream a reality and to bring together our five braves. We are
happy to have reached the company establishment stage of this endeavor which started
with the signing of the Cooperation Protocol on November 2nd, 2017
to prepare financial and technical feasibility. We will continue to work with
determination for the success of the project as a shareholder of the company
representing 1.5 million members. We would like to thank the President, Prime
Minister and the Minister of Science, Industry and Technology for their support
from day one.”
- Science Industry and Technology
Minister Faruk Özlü
Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü said, “Turkey's Automobile
Project will serve as a leader for Turkey’s technological leap forward and act
as a technology platform for all other sectors.”
Faruk Özlü went on, “We have completed the financial and financial
analysis studies and the process of the incorporation process as the Joint
Venture Group. We set out the road map of the company and made the appointment
of our General Manager. I wish him success in his new assignment.
I would like to thank our TOBB and the companies in the Joint Venture
Group who embraced the project with great faith.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the President of the Republic of Turkey
for supporting and protecting this great technological breakthrough project
from the beginning.”
- Anatolia Group Chairman Tuncay
Özilhan
Stating that they are happy with concrete steps being taken in Turkey's Automobile
project, Anatolia Group Chairman Tuncay Özilhan said, “As one of Turkey's most
important industrial groups, we consider domestic production to always be of strategic
priority. We believe that this valuable project, with its ecosystem will bring
not only production but also benefits to economy, technology and employment. It
is my hope that the project will produce sustainable results, contributing to our
country and our economy.”
- BMC Chairman Ethem Sancak
Ethem Sancak, Chairman of BMC, said, “We have set out our 10-year
detailed roadmap and business plan with a fast and effective operation during
the 5-month period when we started the Turkey’s Automobile Joint Venture Group
at the end of 2017. We have completed our financial feasibility assessment and appointed
our CEO. For this successful and harmonious working period, we would like to
extend our gratitude to the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of
Science, Industry and Technology, TOBB and our partners. May it prove
beneficial for our country. BMC, which has adopted the concept of domestic and
national industry, will be in service of our country and project with 54 years
of automotive experience and 2,300 employees.”
- Kök Chairman İnan Kıraç
Kök Chairman İnan Kıraç said, “The Turkish automotive industry and
subsidiary industry, which have overcome many difficulties over the years, have
come to a very high point, exemplified by their total production and their
total exports. It is well within our means to produce a domestic car without
foreign partners. We crown our conviction in Turkey's Automobile Joint Venture
Group with these signatures. I sincere wish for Turkey to be involved in the
global arena with its own brand and we will continue to work with all our might
to achieve this.”
- Turkcell Chairman Ahmet Akça
Turkcell Chairman Ahmet Akça, “As Turkcell, our biggest goal is to
ensure that Turkey is not just a consumer, but a producer of technology.
We would like to thank the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of
Science, Industry and Technology, our partners in Turkey's Automobile Joint
Venture Group as well as our great nation for their support.”
- Zorlu Holding Chairman Ahmet
Nazif Zorlu
Stating that the domestic automobile project is an indication of the
power Turkey’s industry as well as its commitment to having a say in the
technologies of the future, Zorlu Holding Chairman Ahmet Nazif Zorlu said, “I
believe that under the leadership of our President, Science, Industry and
Technology Ministry and the TOBB's support and coordination, as well as the involvement
of a valuable name like Gürcan Karakas with the knowledge and experience gained
the in similar fields abroad, Turkey's automobile project will become a reality
in the fastest and most efficient way and be exemplary in the world.”
- Project CEO M. Gürcan Karakaş
Stating that the project as well as being a macroeconomic necessity for
Turkey, the project is strategically important and Gürcan Karakaş said, “I have
taken an active role in automotive technology in the last 12 years. Technological
development of classic cars will transform into a mobility ecosystem. With high
motivation and commitment of our project, combined with the great potential in
the country, it is almost certain that we will have a say in the global market.
I was born in Turkey and grew up here; I was educated in this country. I
stepped into the business life in Turkey. I'm very happy for the opportunity to
add my experiences in the global market to this project. You can be sure that Turkey
will be more than a brand that can compete in the global environment.”