Mehmet Karal named IVECO's new country manager for Turkey
Italian commercial vehicle maker IVECO has appointed Mehmet Karal, an executive with a background at Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz, to lead its operations in Turkey. Karal took up the post on Sept. 28, 2026.
IVECO, the Italian brand offering products in the light, medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments, has made a leadership change in Turkey. Mehmet Karal has been appointed the company's Country Manager for Turkey, taking up his new position as of Sept. 28, 2026.
The new country manager will oversee all of IVECO's commercial activities in Turkey and will be responsible for the brand's strategic development in the market. According to the company's statement, Karal is expected to steer its growth strategy by combining his international experience with IVECO's diverse product range and its extensive organizational structure in Turkey.
Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz background
Karal has spent most of his professional career at Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz, two of the commercial vehicle industry's most established names. During that time, he held management roles in areas including sales, after-sales services and commercial operations.
His responsibilities were not limited to Turkey. Karal also oversaw markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Australia-Pacific region. That experience gave him broad expertise in market development, dealer network management, customer relations and building sales organizations.
Broad product experience, from trucks to light commercials
In his previous roles, Karal worked with a wide product range spanning trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles. During this period, he led projects aimed at developing sales and after-sales organizations, improving the customer experience and achieving sustainable growth targets.
IVECO's lineup in Turkey likewise consists of commercial vehicles across different weight classes, aligning with Karal's previous experience. How the field knowledge he gained over many years at a rival manufacturer will affect the Italian brand's position in Turkey's commercial vehicle market remains to be seen in the coming period.
Turkey's commercial vehicle market stands out as one with both strong domestic production and intense competition. In this environment, the quality of dealer networks and after-sales services is among the decisive factors in brands' battle for market share.
This article was compiled with the help of AI from information published by Habertürk.
