Türkiye to undergo rapid transformation in manufacturing sector, says industry minister

By Aysa Bocuoglu Bodur

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye will establish a battery cell production facility with Togg, the indigenous electric car company, said Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir on Monday, vowing that the country will undergo a rapid transformation in the manufacturing sector with a focus on innovative technologies.

Türkiye will host many brands and manufacturers during the globalization journey in the coming period, Kacir said in a social media post, adding that during his visit to eight different Chinese cities, he visited companies dealing in the automotive and battery production sectors, including GAC AION, Chery, Zeekr, BYD, SAIC, Fararis, and Huawei.

Kacir stressed that China is the pioneer of the automotive sector’s transition to electric vehicles.

He noted that new players will emerge in the automobile market in the coming period, saying, "We strive to turn the transition to electric vehicles into an opportunity for Türkiye, and the most important step we took toward this goal was to reveal our national brand Togg."

“Türkiye realized a significant move to become one of the leading countries of (the electric vehicle) revolution,” he added.

“Transitioning to electric vehicles can bring numerous benefits for Türkiye, and we prioritize this as a crucial step towards achieving 2053 carbon neutrality targets,” he said.

During his visit to China, he met with executives from battery producer Farasis, Kacir said, adding that the company will establish a battery cell production facility with Togg in Gemlik, a municipality in the historical city of Bursa in the northwest.

He said Türkiye encourages and supports next-generation technology investments and that there is international interest in the country and that the ministry will take the necessary steps to convert this interest into investment in the coming period.

He emphasized that existing manufacturers in the country will undergo rapid transformations with a focus on innovative technologies and that new players will continue to invest in Türkiye in the coming period.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim from Istanbul