Turkey reveals prototype of first domestic car
14:41, 13/10/2015, TuesdayU: Update: 14:44, 13/10/2015, Tuesday
Yeni Şafak
Three prototypes of Turkey's indigenous electric automobile was unveiled for the first time as authority hopes launch mass production soon
Turkey's Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology revealed three prototypes of its long-awaited domestic automobile.
Technology Minister Fikri Işık told Anadolu News Agency that three prototypes of the four had already been developed and the remaining one would be completed soon.
The minister said the first ever domestically built cars would run on electricity rather than fuel. The hybrid electric cars would run for up to 100 kilometers on a single charge, Işık said, pointing out that a person in Turkey normally drives an average of 25 kilometers per day.
Minister Işık shared images and a video of the test driving of the prototype cars.
He said 30 t0 40 cars, which are currently in development at the Kocaeli Informatics Valley, would be released in 2016 for further tests in seasonal and climate conditions.
“In the event of no stability issues in Turkey and the project continues as we scheduled, I believe that we can introduce the indigenous car to our citizens in 2020,” the minister said.
Experts estimate that Turkey can reduce its current account deficit by $20 billion, with the domestically built electric car, especially if the automobile is exported.