Turkey’s auto industry on show

Turkey’s auto industry will be showing why the country has become a preferred destination for automotive manufacturing at the 13th International Automotive Supply Industry, Components, Accessories and Service Equipment expo (Otomotiv 2007), to be held on 8th-11th November 2007 in the Istanbul CNR Expo Center.

The fair will showcase the latest systems and technologies and provide a platform for buyers. Exhibitors include automotive manufacturers, OEMs, distributors, marketing companies, and freight and transport companies. Products on display will include electrical equipment and electronics, chassis equipment, engine equipment and spare parts, bodywork equipment, and garage tools and services, amongst others.

Automotive Industries (AI) spoke to Ceyda Erem, president of the CNR & ITF Group of companies, which is organizing Otomotiv 2007, and asked her what made the show different.
Erem: Otomotiv 2007 is the only organization that brings together all the different sectors of the industry in order to provide exhibitors with the highest level of trade opportunities. The show is leveraging Turkey’s growing reputation as an automotive hub. Turkey is one of Europe’s largest bus and coach manufacturers and its third largest light commercial vehicle and truck manufacturer. Turkey manufactures 1.2 million vehicles annually. The Turkish government and industry have targeted to manufacture two million vehicles by 2015. Turkey is working on being listed amongst the top five European countries for research and development.

AI: What is new in this year’s Otomotiv exhibition?
Erem: At the same time as Otomotiv 2007, the Ticari Araclar 2007 (Commercial Vehicle expo) is being held. This will create a synergy between both fairs.

AI: Is the profile of exhibitors different from previous years’ shows? If so, how?
There is no difference in the profile of exhibitors from Otomotiv 2006. In Otomotiv 2007 we have a higher participation from the garage and service stations and participation from additional countries. Otomotiv 2007 will welcome leading companies under the banner of international agencies such as Made in Germany, Shanghai International Advertising & Exhibitions Co, Universal Trade Exhibitions of India, BLI Thailand Co, and WES Worldwide Expo Services of Taiwan. This year, the exhibition will host 150 foreign stands. The exhibitor countries of Otomotiv 2007 include Germany, Italy, Austria, France, the UK, Iran, Korea, Taiwan, India, Thailand, China, Poland, UAE and the Netherlands.
The Otomotiv Exhibition will also host more than 500 local companies. Mutlu AkÃ, Koneks, Ak-Say, Mopisan, Aktaay Group, Royal Servis Ekip, Bilsa, Pobusan, Olimpia Oto Cam, OMF and Eltesan are among the local exhibitors.

AI: What response do you expect this year in terms of number of visitors?
Erem: Otomotiv 2006 had 45,280 domestic visitors and 4,020 international visitors. We expect the number of domestic visitors to increase to 50,000 and the number of international visitors to increase to 5,000 in line with the growth of the Turkish Automotive Sector.

AI: Give examples of how the Otomotiv fairs helped Turkey’s automotive industry.
Erem: Together with the rise of Otomotiv fairs, Turkey’s exports reached Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Russian Federation, Romania Slovenia and the Netherlands markets. Auto part exports had been following an increasing trend since 2003, approximately by 20-30 per cent per annum.