Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

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.