Business · Trade · 1 hr ago
Turkey seeks inclusion in EU plans to strengthen its car industry
The European Union is considering a “Made in EU” approach to strengthen local production and the competitiveness of strategic industries, including cars.
Cengiz Eroldu, head of Turkey’s Automotive Industry Association, says Turkey should be included in any new rules for the sector.
Turkey and European carmakers are linked through production, suppliers and engineering, and Turkey follows many of the same standards and technical rules.
Eroldu says this cooperation supports competitiveness on both sides as the EU seeks to protect its car industry from Chinese rivals.
Turkish industry groups have prepared a joint position paper and are speaking with European lawmakers, business groups and industry representatives.
Eroldu also says Turkey wants foreign investment that brings technology and research work, rather than new assembly plants alone.
The EU’s approach is still under discussion, and the Turkish groups’ outreach to European decision-makers is continuing.
Turkey’s automotive industry is urging the European Union to include it in plans to strengthen the bloc’s car industry.
Cengiz Eroldu, head of the Automotive Manufacturers Association, said Turkey is already closely integrated with Europe’s automotive sector.
The associations OSD, OİB and TAYSAD have prepared a joint position paper highlighting Turkey’s contribution to EU competitiveness and their shared value chain.
Eroldu said Turkey needs investments that bring technology and research and development, rather than new assembly plants.
He also said the share of Chinese vehicle brands in Turkey’s market had fallen to 5.8% from 8.7% in the first nine months of the previous year.
- Who
- Turkey’s automotive industry, represented by Cengiz Eroldu and industry associations OSD, OİB and TAYSAD.
- What
- It is seeking inclusion in EU plans to strengthen the bloc’s car industry.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Turkey and the European Union.
- Why
- Turkey says its automotive sector is integrated with Europe’s through production, supply chains, engineering and shared rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
If a stronger European automotive industry is to be established, Turkey must definitely be part of it. Turkey has already been part of it for many years.
We introduce the same rules on the same dates, at the same times. We also apply similar legislation in Turkey.
Turkey does not need new assembly plants. It needs investments that bring technology to Turkey and carry out research and development in Turkey.
Turkey must be part of Europe, both for our competitiveness and Europe’s.
Chinese vehicle brands held 8.7% of Turkey’s car market.
Eroldu said Chinese vehicle brands’ share had fallen to 5.8%.
OSD, OİB and TAYSAD prepared a joint position paper on Turkey’s place in Europe’s automotive industry.
Automotive industry representatives continued meetings with the European Parliament, European business and other parts of the automotive sector.
- Chinese vehicle brands’ market share, first nine months of last year
- 8.7%
- Chinese vehicle brands’ market share, current figure reported
- 5.8%
- Industry associations behind position paper
- OSD, OİB and TAYSAD
- OSD president
- Cengiz Eroldu
- Article publication date
- 12 October 2026
Sources
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