Ford Otosan
 | |
| Type | Joint-stock company |
|---|---|
| Traded as | BİST: FROTO |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Headquarters | Gölcük, Turkey |
| Key people | Rahmi Koç (President) |
| Products | Automobiles, light commercial vehicles, trucks |
| Production output | 295,850 vehicles (2011) |
| Revenue | US$ 4.25 billion (2011) |
| Owner(s) |
Ford Motor Company (41%) Koç Holding (41%) |
| Employees | 9,581 (2011) |
| Website | fordotosan.com.tr |
Ford Otosan is an automotive manufacturing company based in Turkey, equally owned by Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding.[1] It was established in its current form in 1977, with original relations dating back to 1928.[2] It currently operates four facilities throughout the country,[3] and is headquartered in Gölcük, with a second location in İnönü.[4]
History
The collaboration began in 1928, when Vehbi Koç was assigned as Ford dealer in Ankara.[5] In 1959, the foundation of the Otosan factory was held in Istanbul, and in 1960 the Ford Consul was the first model to be produced at the plant, followed by the Thames and the Thames Trader van.[6] In 1965, the D1210 truck was added to production, and in 1966, the Anadol, the first mass-production passenger vehicle developed in Turkey. In 1967, the Ford Transit also began production and in 1973, the Anadol STC-16, the first sports car developed in Turkey.
In 1977, the company signed a license agreement with Ford and the company's name was changed to Ford Otosan. In 1979, took place the groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory in İnönü, Eskişehir, which began production of the Ford Cargo in 1983.[2] Also that year, Ford increased its share of ownership in the company to 30 percent.[6] In 1985, the Ford Taunus begins production at the Istanbul plant, and in 1986 the official opening ceremony for the İnönü engine plant is held.
In 1992, the newer Ford Transit was put into production, and in 1993 the Ford Escort replaced the Ford Taunus on the production lines.[6] In 1997, Ford further increased its share in the company to 41 percent, becoming equal partner with Koç Holding in the joint venture. In 1998, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new factory in Gölcük, Kocaeli, that became operational in 2001, replacing the Istanbul facility. It is aimed mainly at commercial vehicle production, and manufactures the Ford Transit and the Ford Transit Connect, both models being marketed worldwide. In 2003, the company launched a new generation of the Ford Cargo heavy-duty truck.[7]
In September 2012, Ford revealed its new version of the Transit,[8] and in January 2013 the new Cargo heavy truck was unveiled.[9] The latter was co-developed by Ford Otosan in partnership with Ford Brazil,[10] and will be manufactured in both countries.[9]
Facilities
The company operates four facilities throughout the country. The Kocaeli Plant, located in Gölcük, was opened in 2001, and has been the main global production center for the Transit and the Transit Connect.[11] It has an annual production capacity of 320,000 vehicles and has its own port.[2]
The İnönü Plant, located in Eskişehir, began operating in 1982,[6] and has been the production center of the Cargo heavy truck, as well as for engines and powertrains. It has an annual capacity of 10,000 trucks, 66,000 engines and 45,000 gearboxes.[11]
The Kartal Parts Distribution Center, located in the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul, has been operating since 1998,[7] and it is the marketing centre of the company's marketing, sales, after-sales and spare parts operations.[11]
The Gebze Engineering Center, located in the Tübitak Gebze Techno Park, was established in 2007, and is responsible for the development of the newest products and technologies. It employs over 1000 product development engineers.[7]
References
- ↑ "Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding celebrate 50th anniversary of Ford Otosan joint venture". Ford Motor Company. 28 June 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "2009 Annual Report". Ford Otosan. 23 July 2010.
- ↑ "Facilities". Ford Otosan. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ↑ "Ford Otosan". Otomotiv Sanayii Derneği. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ↑ "Ford dünyasının en kalitelisi oldu yeni projeleri almakta zorlanmadı". Milliyet. 22 April 2012.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Tarihçe". Ford Otosan. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Investor Presentation March 2012". Ford Otosan. 26 March 2012.
- ↑ "Ford Reveals All-New Global Transit and Transit Connect Commercial Vehicles at ‘Go Further’ Event". Ford Motor Company. 6 September 2012.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Ford’s Turkish designed heavy truck unveiled". Invest in Turkey. 28 January 2013.
- ↑ "Ford to launch Turkish-developed new heavy truck". Invest in Turkey. 6 August 2012.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "2010 Annual Report". Ford Otosan. 27 July 2011.
External links
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Coordinates: 40°43′24″N 29°51′11″E / 40.72333°N 29.85306°E