18.07.2020 Ankara
The Ceremony for the Construction of TOGG Engineering, Design and Production Facilities was held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Gemlik district of Bursa.
TOBB and TOGG President Hisarcıklıoğlu
said here that they will invest 22 billion TRY in domestic cars in 15 years,
adding, “By 2032, we will produce 1 million vehicles and present them to our
people.”
In his speech at the TOGG Engineering,
Design and Production Facilities Construction Ceremony, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that today, Turkey's dream of half a century is taking another giant step
forward.
Touching on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's
calls for domestic cars and giving them the task of actualizing this dream,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Anadolu Group, BMC, Turkcell, Zorlu Holding and Kök
Group adopted this vision and embarked on a difficult journey.
Despite the coronavirus, Hisarcıklıoğlu
expressed that they continue their work without disruption, and that they have
taken normalization steps in the economy following the successful pandemic
process.
- Now is the time to invest for post-Covid-19
Hisarcıklıoğlu said that today is the next
step in the process, “Now is the time to invest in order to make Turkey
stronger in the post-Covid-19 global economy.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed that they began investing
in Bursa-Gemlik, “While the automotive world is changing, I hope Turkey will
become an important player at the table. Hopefully now we'll move on to the
winning side. Because this is car of the 83 million.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that the domestic car
will not only be produced in Turkey; the brand, patent and design will be their
own, noting that they will rise to a new league.
- “We are building more than a factory”
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that with
an investment of 22 billion TRY in 15 years, they will reach a capacity of
175,000 units per year, “Allah willing, by 2032 we will produce 1 million
vehicles and offer them to our people.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that over 700
million TRY has been spent so far for the R&D of the domestic car, and that
with a capital of 3.5 billion liras paid in 3 years by stakeholders, it is one
of the largest paid-in-capital industrial companies in Turkey today.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, to start this new
partnership culture with TOGG will be a new model in many investments needed by
Turkey, noting, “We are building more than factory here. This is not just a
production base; it will be a technology base. Here we will exhibit the best
examples of digital transformation of the fourth industrial revolution. We will
fulfill the requirements of being a world brand.” Emphasizing that they are
planning which is most suitable for their investments strategically and
economically, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Our plans are working very well despite
some people who do not want it to. Our mission is to build Turkey's Automobile,
for it to be domestic and national. To create a brand that every Turkish
citizen will be proud of.”
- “The domesticity rate will increase with each passing year”
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating
that they plan to release at 51% domestic initially, said, “In 2025, we will
increase the rate of domesticity to 68%. As long as it is economically
appropriate and sustainable, we will raise this figure even higher.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed that they will employ 4,300 people in the factory, and
said: “There are two issues that we are sensitive about here: first is women,
and the second is the employment of the people of the region. We will try to
exceed 30% in women employment. We will meet our need for employees from our
region as much as possible, i.e. Gemlik and the surrounding districts. We are
moving forward with the concept of green factory without damaging the
environment. We will develop and grow Gemlik as we develop and grow TOGG. We’ve
taken on the responsibility for registering the Gemlik Olive as an international
geographical marker.”
- “Turkey's car is a new challenge”
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, emphasizing that they
believe in this endeavor; together with their partners they’ve taken on the
responsibility and, although the path is long and challenging, they will embarrass
those who want them to fail.
“Turkey's Automobile is a technological
transformation, a transition to the digital economy,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said,
adding that they are hard at work as TOGG partners and employees with this
belief. Hisarcıklıoğlu, “At the end of last year we introduced our vehicles,
now we are starting the construction of our production base. Hopefully, by
fulfilling our plans, at the end of 2022, our first vehicle will come off the
assembly line.”
- Important statements from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also said
in his speech that Turkey's car made waves not only in the country but in many
parts of the world, adding, “Our nation especially has shown great interest and
trust in this project, which it has longed for for decades.”
At the Ceremony of the Construction of
Engineering, Design and Production Facilities in Turkey, where “Turkey's
Automobile” will be produced, Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction at being with
the attendees on such a day in which a historic step towards making the 60-year
dream come true.
Recalling the introduction of Turkey's
cars in December last year and the sample models were shared with the public, Erdoğan
said, “Turkey's car has made waves not only in our country but in many parts of
the world. Our nation especially has shown great interest and trust in this
project, which it has longed for decades. But even then, it was attacked. Even
60 years later, Turkey's introduction to such a move has become a nightmare for
some circles as much as it has been hope for our people. Those who were
uncomfortable with the growth, strengthening and increased self-confidence of
our country immediately launched an intensive smear campaign.”
- “They went out looking for weaknesses in the project with funny excuses”
Erdoğan emphasized that those who have not
raised a finger for the good of the country and the nation in their lives are
in a race to slander, instead of embracing the joy of 83 million, rather than
being a partner, they went out looking for weaknesses in the project with funny
excuses. “Despite all their efforts, despite all their research, they found no
flaws in the project.” Erdoğan went on:
“Every member of our nation, from the
youngest to the oldest, has adopted this project, which represents the strength
and production capacity of our country. Millions of hearts have been thrilled for
the actualization of a dream which had been sabotaged from inside and outside
for years. So we worked day and night to avoid disappointing the expectations
of our nation. At a time when the whole world had stopped or suspended its
investments, we have accelerated our projects in everything from health to
transportation, agriculture to industry, energy and environment. Hospitals,
dams, irrigation facilities, national gardens, transportation investments have risen
all over our country as new signs of a policy of work and service.”
Erdoğan, noting that, the foundations laid
today for Turkey's automobile factory is the golden ring in this investment
chain, stated that it is not only the joy of starting a new investment, but the
pride of implementing a giant project despite the pandemic.
President Erdoğan stated that this would
be the best answer to those who tried to kill this project asking where it
would be produced.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
said, “We have braved the risk for the peace of our country and for the peace
of our nation and will continue to do so. Whatever we have accomplished in the
last 18 years, we have succeeded despite attempts to hold us back, threats and
sabotage.”
“Today is not just a factory where we will
start construction,” he said, adding that this is a massive production complex
with different facilities that will radically change the perception of factories
in people's minds.
- President Erdoğan thanked TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu
Expressing his wish for the success of Turkey's
Automobile, Erdoğan congratulated everyone who supported and contributed to the
project in reaching this stage, and offered his thanks to M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Turkey, and his administration, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the braves
who put their heart on the project, and the TOGG team that brought the project so
far by working day and night.
Stating that he believes that they will meet
great expectations in this field, Erdoğan said, “Allah willing, we will
continue to be with you on all aspects of the project and support you. May Allah
illuminate our path and bring fortune.”
- Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank
Minister of Industry and Technology
Mustafa Varank said, “Our eco-friendly smart car will set out on the road from an
eco-friendly smart facility.”
Minister Varank, speaking at the TOGG
Engineering, Design and Production Facilities Construction Launch Ceremony where
Turkey's Automobile will be produced, attended by Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan, stated that the dream of years will become a reality in Gemlik.
Stressing that they left behind an
important threshold in Turkey's Automobile today, Varank said, “Our
eco-friendly smart car will set out on the road from a smart eco-friendly
facility. We're excited, but we're just as proud. Turkey's economy has made
great strides in industry, exports and innovation over the past 18 years. At
the heart of all these breakthroughs are the policies and projects initiated
under the leadership of our President.
Thus, on the one hand, while leaping
forward development, on the other, we elevated the prosperity of our nation to
much more advanced level. Turkey has the ability to produce in almost every
sector. We have production infrastructures spread all over the country hosting planned
industrialization.
We have R&D Centers and technoparks built
from scratch which grow bright and innovative ideas.
Thanks to these established
infrastructures, we were able to carry out the mass production of a world-class
intensive care breathing apparatus in record time during the pandemic. With our
work in the field of vaccines and medicines, we have become a country that is watched
closely throughout the world. With our high-tech products in the defense
industry, we are moving rapidly towards becoming a strong global player. We are
on the verge of major breakthroughs in rail systems. Of course, we don't intend
to settle for that. Our goal is to be one of the leading countries producing
high-tech, even guiding technology.”
- TOGG Senior Manager Gürcan Karakaş
Turkey's Automobile Enterprise Group (TOGG)
Executive Director (CEO) Gürcan Karakaş reported that the factory construction
will be completed in 18 months, stating, “We will start ordering equipment in
this year and in the last quarter of 2022 we will be celebrating mass
production vehicle coming off the line together.”
Karakaş, in his speech at the TOGG
Engineering, Design and Production Facilities Construction Ceremony, stated
that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's declaration that we are in the race for electric
cars from the very start has been heard loudly throughout the world.
Turkey's Automobile is the first place in
the main news in some countries of the world and Europe, Karakas said, talking
about the developments in this area.
Karakaş noted that awareness of TOGG has
risen above 90% in Turkey, and with its design, strong and confident stance, it
has quickly jumped to 73%in the brand appreciation index.
After his speech, President Erdoğan was presented
a model of the domestic car by Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa
Varank and TOBB and TOGG President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu. President Erdoğan and
those accompanying him pressed the button and poured first concrete into the
factory foundation. Erdoğan and the participants took a commemorative photo.
- Attendees
In addition to President Erdoğan, TOBB and
TOGG Chairman M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Vice
President Fuat Oktay, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank,
Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Minister of National
Defense Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Culture and Tourism Minister
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil
Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk
, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez, Head of Communication
Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın, AK Party Izmir Deputy
Binali Yıldırım, Bursa Governor Yakup Canbolat, Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Alinur
Aktaş, TOGG General Manager Mehmet Erdoğan Karakaş also attended the ceremony.