Isuzu's cooperation with the Anadolu Group to manufacture cars in Turkey, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Ida met with Turkish journalists on the anniversary and used the occasion to send a positive message about future investments. Stating that they are satisfied with the performance of their factory in Gebze, Ida further encouraged success by alluding to Turkey's potential to make the "D-Max" pick-up, currently produced only in Thailand. Stating that Turkey's economy entered a fast recovery after the crisis, President Ida said, "The Turkish market is improving rapidly. Sales are rising. If we receive enough demand from Turkey and other countries in the region, we can think about producing the D-Max in Turkey." Ida said that, similar to the world market, they want to be the number one provider of commercial and diesel motors in the Turkish market.
Ida added that if Turkey enters European Union the partnership would increase in value. "We have to be strong in Turkey in order to increase our efficiency in West and the East," said Ida.
Conceding that the Turkish market is different from other countries, Ida said, "dramatic change and fluctuation can occur. We see that the trembling is less in the automobile sector."
General Manager of Anadolu Isuzu, Kamil Eser, said that there is no decision yet to make any investments in Turkey. Before such a decision is made, he continued, the purchase capacity in regional countries should be taken into consideration. "D-Max attracted attention in a short amount of time. Today we are importing and selling it. Our target audience, as a commercial vehicle producer, is more limited, but D-Max pick-up opens a new segment for us. It will make an important contribution to Isuzu's representation."
When he was asked about whether or not Isuzu will increase its 17 percent share in the factory in Turkey, Isuzu President Ida said, "We consider increasing quality in Turkey first. When we put the Isuzu Manufacturing Management (IMM) system into effect in Turkey, efficiency of the factory will increase more. Management is the responsibility of our local partner and we are pleased with it; however, our talks about share increases do continue." Ida underlined that they have no intention to take over the management or obtaining most of the shares.
Eser, said the subject of share transfer is discussed from time to time; however, it has not been talked about in the past six months. Eser stated that there is currently no situation that requires the transfer of shares. "Since 1996, the structure of capital is the same. Share handover came to the agenda in one of the meetings 5-6 months ago. An intention to increase the shares is expressed and it was stated that the time is not convenient and the case was closed. It has not been on the agenda for the last six months. That does not mean it will not be on the agenda again," said Eser. He said the Japanese partner believes their brand is represented well.
'We are alike'
Ida said that there has been camaraderie between Turkey and Japan since the Ottoman era. "I think we, as nations, are much alike. We are far way from each other geographically, but we are, historically and culturally, very close," added Ida.
Anadolu Isuzu made $140 million in sales last year. This year, their aim is to increase this figure to $160 million and double its exports by 50 percent, up to $44 million. Its yearly production capacity is 13,155 vehicles. Most of which are mini-busses. While its pick-up truck market in Turkey reached nearly 7,000 sales last year, the figure is expected to be 11,000 sales this year. Thailand is the second largest market in the world after the U.S. It has sold 300,000 vehicles.
Anadolu Group has 53.37 percent in Anadolu Isuzu; Isuzu Motors has 17; Itochu 12.75 and other partners own 1.88 percent of the shares. 15 percent of the Company is publicly traded.
Anadolu Isuzu plans to import nearly 1,000 D-Max pick-ups and then sell them this year; however, this number meets very few of the demands to dealers. D-Max pick-ups, which, in May of 2002, started their production in Thailand with an extra US investment of $1 billion, are commanding a great deal of attention since its use of as personal and trade purposes. In the three factories in Thailand, home of the world's fastest puck-up production, 240,000 D-Max pick-ups have been produced since the locations began operating. This year nearly 50,000 vehicles will export to 50 different countries.
Thailand Isuzu officials said that a vehicle comes out of the production conveyor band every 1.8 minutes. They say this rate is barely able to meet demands. Isuzu is the first motor vehicle and diesel motor producer in Japan. It is also the first Japanese auto producer to invest in Turkey. Today, it has 20 factories worldwide, four of them in Japan. Since 1971, it has partnered with General Motors, the largest vehicle producer in the world. The company, which has underwent restructuring the past few years, has maximized their profits to their highest level yet. Netting $479.4 million this year, while downsizing from 33,000 employers to 18,000.
28.05.2004
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