Turkish automaker Karsan Otomotiv has said it has made significant progress in building Turkey's locally developed passenger car, adding that the firm still has to invest USD100 million to realise the project, according to Zaman newspaper. The company is working on a domestically developed car model and has poured USD60 million into the project so far. "We have carved out a brand new concept with this car and studies are under way to reach a point where we can commence mass production. It will require another USD100 million to introduce what may become the first locally built model," said Jan Nahum, executive director, Karsan, in an interview at Kocaeli.
Significance: The company − largely known for its commercial vehicles − believes that it can secure USD100 million to eventually release the locally developed car. In 2011, Karsan's model V1 car made the shortlist in New York City's search for the "Taxi of Tomorrow" along with models by Nissan and Ford, with Karsan losing out to build New York's next generation of iconic yellow taxis to Nissan. The Turkish government also hopes to see the first locally developed car hit the roads before 2020 and has extended support for the project, having supported it from the start.
