Volkswagen May Build Cars in Turkey From Chinese-Made Kits

Volkswagen's plans for production in Turkey could take the form of China-developed models shipped as kits and assembled by Doğuş Otomotiv, according to a report by Automobilwoche. Doğuş Otomotiv said in a statement on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on October 30 that it had signed a letter of intent with Volkswagen Group companies to evaluate passenger car production options.

What does the kit assembly claim say?

According to Automobilwoche, some Volkswagen models developed in China would be prepared as sets of parts and put together in Turkey. The vehicles would not arrive as finished products but as separate components. That approach is a different model from a full-scale factory investment.

Volkswagen did not give details in a statement to another publication. It only confirmed that importing partly assembled vehicles from its production plants outside Europe to the Turkish market is under review. The claim is not yet tied to any announced production timetable.

What does the letter of intent say?

Doğuş Otomotiv's KAP statement says the cooperation aims to offer the Turkish market value-added products that suit new technologies and to contribute to the development of the country's automotive industry. The investment amount, production location, capacity and the models it would cover have not been disclosed. Doğuş Otomotiv said it will share further developments on the process in line with regulations and its disclosure obligations.

Manisa project was cancelled in 2019

Volkswagen had planned a factory in Turkey before. In 2019, the company targeted a plant in Manisa to build the Passat and Skoda Superb, with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles and 4,000 jobs. In October 2019, Volkswagen Turkey Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., with share capital of 943.5 million TL, was established in Manisa.

Then Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess informed the Ministry of Industry and Technology by letter that new capacity investments had been halted because of falling global demand. The project was officially cancelled on July 1, 2020.

Volkswagen's global position

According to Habertürk, Volkswagen is preparing to take technologies and models it has developed with local partners in China to other markets. The company reported an operating loss of 5.9 billion euros in the third quarter of 2026 and is restructuring to cut costs.

Key points:
- According to Automobilwoche, models developed in China could be assembled in Turkey from kits
- Volkswagen confirmed it is studying the option of sending partly assembled vehicles to Turkey
- No production timetable, location or model details have been announced; the Manisa project was cancelled in 2020