Major automakers in Turkey plan to resume productions next week after most companies shut operations for three-weeks amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Global supply chain disruptions also forced automakers across the region to cut production.
Almost all auto makers will resume production in Turkey either late April or early May, if the pandemic situation doesn’t intensify, according to Turkey’s car manufacturers’ association (OSD). Major automakers Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai Assan, Otokar, Turk Tractor and Karsan plan to resume their production from Monday, April 20.
Mercedes-Benz would resume production activities at Hosdere Bus Factory on April 20 and Aksaray Truck Factory on April 24. the company will resume production as scheduled with all the necessary precautions, said Mercedes-Benz in a statement. Production at its bus factory and truck factory was suspended to protect employees against the pandemic as well as due to logistic disruptions in the global auto component supply chain.
On April 14, major commercial vehicle producer, Anadolu Isuzu resumed production in Gebze district. The automaker is a joint venture between Anadolu Holding and Japanese companies Isuzu Motors and Itochu Corporation. The plant had halted production on March 30.
Ford Otosan plans to resume production on April 27, while Oyak Renault has not yet declared a date. Ankara-based truck manufacturer, Man Turkiye is likely to reopen production by April 22. Toyota Turkey and Tofaş are expected to reopen on May 4, according to the local media reports.
Turkey’s auto exports drop; domestic sales up in March
Turkey’s automobile exports dropped 30pc to 57,326 passenger cars in March from the prior month, according to OSD data. Car sales rose 3.3pc to 39,887 in March, according to Turkey’s automotive distributors’ association (ODD).