Türkiye’s TOGG EV may co-produce with China as discussions continue
Employees work on a car assembly line at a factory of Togg at the Gemlik Togg Technology Campus, Bursa, northwestern Türkiye, May 17, 2024 (AFP Photo)
Türkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology, Fatih Kacir, announced on Monday that the government welcomes all partnerships that could strengthen Togg, the country’s first domestically produced electric car brand.
In an interview with the Anadolu Agency (AA), Kacir emphasized Togg‘s potential for further international collaborations, noting that China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) had entered discussions with Togg in July for possible joint production.
“We have already established partnerships, such as the one with Farasis Energy on battery technologies, under the Siro brand. We are open to further collaborations that will strengthen Togg,” said Kacir, highlighting the importance of partnerships in advancing Togg’s position in the global market.
Talks with Chinese Chery in advance
Kacir also revealed that talks with Chinese automaker Chery had reached the final stages. Following a meeting between Chery International President Zhang Guibing, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and other senior officials, discussions on Chery’s potential investment in Türkiye are progressing.
“We are very close to signing the agreement,” Kacir said, adding that Chery’s investment would support both domestic production and the expansion of the electric vehicle market in Türkiye.
Chinese automakers, Turkish automotive market
The influx of Chinese automotive brands into Türkiye has been noteworthy, with Chery becoming one of the top-selling brands in just a short time.
Since entering the Turkish market in March 2023, Chery has sold 44,782 vehicles in the first eight months of this year, making it the third-highest selling brand after Fiat and Renault.
Other Chinese automakers, such as BYD, MG and Skywell, are also eyeing Türkiye for investment opportunities.
BYD, which signed a $1 billion investment deal in July, plans to start producing electric and hybrid vehicles in Manisa by 2026, with an annual capacity of 150,000 units.
Impact on Togg
When asked whether these foreign investments could impact Togg’s competitive edge, Kacir emphasized Togg’s unique position as a Turkish brand.
“Togg is a new technology brand. It is growing thanks to collective national support, and it has already achieved the production volumes in one year that some global brands reached in five or six years,” Kacir noted.
The minister assured Türkiye will continue to support Togg during its growth phase, highlighting the importance of high-tech international partnerships in areas such as battery technology and autonomous driving systems.
