By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- Turkiye is set to compete in the electric vehicle (EV) market with its first electric ‘Smart Car’ developed by Togg, Turkiye’s Automobile Joint Venture Group, Inc. that is set to launch by the end of this year. The factory where the vehicle has been developed is set to be inaugurated by Turkish President Erdogan on Turkish Republic Day, October 29. Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank told the press Thursday that during the inauguration, the first mass produced domestic cars will leave the production line. Varank told A Haber news, that the first vehicles will have 51% of the parts sourced in Turkiye with a projection of 65% by 2025. He indicated that the electric motors in the initial vehicles produced will be sourced from abroad. Varank said: “This is not an easy localization move as it takes years to complete the processes. However, the work on the localization of the engine is currently ongoing.”
Togg was founded as a joint venture in 2018 and as Varank commented: “This is a private sector investment. In addition to producing an automobile, there is a production of a technological device, the company is trying to create a brand.” As to the price of the first ‘Smart Car’ from Turkiye, Varank alluded that the it would be in line with similar EVs currently on the market. He added that Togg plans to showcase more advanced technologies in its EV known as the C-segment SUV vehicle which will be unique in the EV sector. Varank stated: “We have recently reduced the SCT rates in electric cars by up to 10%. Therefore, as the government, we have to implement tax policies in order for our citizens to buy electric, environmentally friendly, new generation vehicles at more affordable costs. We have taken the necessary steps.”
Varank pointed out that Turkiye is one of the most powerful producers in the automotive sector with a capacity to “produce 2 million vehicles.” He further stated that Turkiye is the top commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe. Varank added: “The Togg project aims to help the changing and transforming world industry. It will be an alternative.” Togg launched on June 25, 2018 has as its goal the production of 1 million EVs in five different segments by 2030 while planning to launch its first mass produced EV SUV by the end of 2022. In December 2019, the Turkish president unveiled prototypes for the SUV and a sedan, that are both all-electric, C-segment models. Togg stated that it is producing five diverse models to include an SUV, sedan, C-hatchback, B-SUV and B-MPV through 2030. By the end of 2022, mass production will begin on the SUV then the sedan.
