Foreign automotive investment is still key for Turkey

Significance Ankara is trying to strengthen its automotive industry at a time of rapid technological change, ever-tighter environmental regulations and growing competition from China. It leverages its sizeable domestic market, industrial base and disciplined, relatively low-cost, practically strike-free workforce to attract investment from companies with global reach and know-how. Impacts The progress made by the domestic electric car will encourage the continued use of interventionist industrial policies. ‘National and local’ projects will contribute to political support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There will be no reduction in Turkey’s integration into global and European automotive markets and supply chains.