Turkey's car industry turns 103 as the Republic marks its anniversary, from Devrim to Togg

Turkey's automotive industry has a history stretching from the first car factory set up in Istanbul in 1929 to today's electric vehicle production, as the Republic marks its 103rd year. The sector is now one of the country's largest export earners. In 2025, 1,419,464 vehicles were produced.

From the first factory to the Devrim and Anadol

A factory was set up in Istanbul's Tophane district in 1929 under an agreement between Ford Motor Company and the government of the day. Employing around 450 people, the plant was producing close to 50 vehicles a day. The Great Depression brought production to an end in 1934. In 1955, Jeep assembly began at the Turk Willys Overland plant in Tuzla Çayırova. In 1960, Ford returned to Turkey, this time through Otosan, a partnership with the Koç Group.

The Devrim car was developed in 1961 at the Devlet Demiryolları Fabrikası (State Railways Factory) in Eskişehir, on the orders of Cemal Gürsel. Designed in Turkey, including its engine, the vehicle was completed in 135 days and was ready for the 29 October 1961 celebrations. It stalled during its public debut in Ankara when it ran out of fuel, and never moved into serial production. In 1966, Otosan's Anadol hit the road. The fiberglass-bodied model remained in production until 1984, with more than 93,000 units built.

Bursa, and Japanese and Korean investment

Tofaş was founded in 1968 as a partnership between the Koç Group and Fiat. The groundwork for Oyak-Renault was laid the following year. Both plants began serial production in Bursa in 1971: the Murat 124 at Tofaş and the Renault 12 at Oyak-Renault. In the 1990s, Toyota began producing the Corolla in Sakarya. Honda moved into Civic production in Gebze in 1997, and the same year Hyundai started making the Accent and H100 in İzmit through a partnership with Assan.

Togg, Hyundai and the Tofaş K9

Togg was founded in 2018 and entered serial production at its Gemlik plant on 29 October 2022. The T10X reached customers in 2023, followed by the T10F. Exports began with the T10F, and sales continue in Germany. Togg's third model, the T6X, is expected on the road in 2027.

Hyundai will start serial production of the Ioniq 3 at its İzmit plant in the third quarter of 2026, making it the second brand to build electric cars in Turkey. The first phase of the 250 million euro investment targets 30,000 vehicles a year. Tofaş's $300 million K9 project brings the Fiat Doblò back to Bursa three years later. The project will also build the Berlingo, Combo, Rifter and Partner, with annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles.

Exports and the Made in EU debate

According to OSD data, car production in 2025 reached 872,538, while total automotive exports came to 1,057,920 units. Export revenue for the sector reached $41.5 billion. A Made in EU regulation under discussion in Europe has not yet been finalised. After Germany and France agreed to prioritise European production, the possibility that Turkey could be left out of its scope came up, and public and private sector players have sped up their efforts.