Turkey is focused on becoming the hub for electric vehicles and batteries, said Turkey’s Industry and Technology Minister in a ceremony hosted by Hyundai for the commencement of its plant in Turkey. The South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motors started mass production at its joint venture factory in Izmit, Turkey. The plant will produce 50pc of the company’s i20 production, globally.
Approximately 90pc of the cars produced at the plant will be sold in Europe. The plant will initially produce around 85,000 units of i20 in a year, which will be gradually raised to 100,000 units a year. The plant has a total capacity to produce 240,000 vehicles a year and at present the plant is working at 60pc capacity.
Turkey is keen to be a hub for battery production and is investing in battery modules, cells and related packages. Turkey will support technology firm’s investments in the auto sector, said Industry and Technology Minister as the country also seeks to boost production of critical parts for auto including electric engines, charging devices, compressors and inverters.
In 2019, Turkey produced electric powered SUV, excavator and tractor and wants to boost electricity-powered vehicle technology.
Auto production in Turkey would boost production for other related sectors such as steel, aluminium, zinc etc. Industrial production in Turkey grew in double digits in May and June. Turkey by 2030 aims to be the largest producer electric vehicles in Europe and one of the top in the world.