Proton to conquer Europe from Turkey

Considering that the Turkish automotive industry produced 1.13 million vehicles in 2007 and aims to increase its production to 2 million in 2012, world automotive producers have expressed interest in Turkey. In four years Turkey plans to have moved from 14th place to 10th place in the world in terms of number of cars produced annually. Thus automotive producers around the world are closely following developments in the Turkish auto sector and are looking for investment opportunities in the country.

Far Eastern automotive producers perceive Turkey as a big market and a strategic location with its role as a bridge between Asia and Europe.

Proton, which is the newest large automotive producer in the world, was founded by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1982. In 1983 Proton took on the role of being a locomotive for Malaysian economic development with its Japanese technology supported assembly-based production. While 52 percent of Proton, which employs 9,500 people including 1,500 R&D employees, belongs to the Malaysian state, 48 percent belongs to national and international investors.

Proton exports its products to over 20 countries, including Britain and Australia. The company produces its cars in China, Vietnam and Iran and plans to reach a production level of 1 million vehicles annually within five years in the context of its development strategy.

Proton's Turkish distributor is Ulu Motor, a member company of the Ulubaşlar Group. Proton had previously marketed its Persona, Compact and Coupe models in Turkey in 1998; however, it ceased its marketing activities and left the Turkish market in 2000 because of import issues. After the problems regarding the import of Asian-make vehicles were solved, Indian Mahindra, Iranian Samand and Chinese producer Chery entered the Turkish market.