Turkiye (formerly spelt as Turkey) will soon have its first car developed and built by a domestic company as pre-production units have been completed this week at a new factory in Gemlik, 128 kms south of Istanbul. They are products of Togg or Turkiye’nin Otomobili Girisim Grubu (Turkish Automobile Joint Venture Group) which is a consortium of 5 companies for the automotive project.
Togg aims to serve as the backbone of the Turkish mobility ecosystem with 100% Turkish intellectual and industrial property. It is Europe’s youngest electric manufacturer with the aim of producing a million vehicles in 5 different segments by the end of this decade.
Togg refers to its vehicles as ‘Transition Concept Smart Devices’ that are part of an ecosystem which encompasses e-mobility. The first model is a C-segment SUV (to go on sale in the first quarter of 2023), and it will be followed by a B-segment SUV and C-segment MPV. Rounding up the first generation range will be a sedan and hatchback for the C-segment.
All 5 models will have the same DNA and share the same platform, while Pininfarina is the strategic partner working with the Togg design team. While each model will have some specific design elements, the overall design language is based on a line that runs from the top to the side of the vehicle, beginning with the muscular rear design and headlights. The windscreen has been optimised for the architecture of an EV and the multi-spoke wheels have the formal features of the Togg DNA.
Togg’s designers sought to retain the company’s Turkish origins while creating a global brand for the future. The illuminated Togg logo on the bonnet, an exclusive design feature, represents the unification of East and West, a reference to Turkiye being the connection between Asia and Europe. Additionally, the logo emphasizes that Togg is a technology company that connects technology and people at the juncture of today and tomorrow through its life-improving mobility solutions.
The user experience within has been elevated with an innovative approach encompassing a whole set of products and services. It is thus an entire mobility ecosystem to support a broad range of mobility solutions which is called USE CASE Mobility.
Not much has been revealed about the powertrain at this time but it is known that there are motors with two different outputs – 200 ps and 400 ps. Advanced lithium-ion technology is used for the battery pack which the company says will reach an 80% charge in under 30 minutes. It’s likely that the range should be on par with other EVs, which is a few hundred kilometres.
Like Perodua and Proton, Togg is also aiming to source vehicle parts domestically as much as possible. Initially, the level will be 51% (with local suppliers accounting for 75%), rising to 68% over 3 years.
As with some other companies getting into the business of selling EVs (Proton’s PRO-NET is one of them), Togg is also looking at the Smart Energy Solutions as part of the ecosystem. It will establish a network of charging stations around the country and economical options and plans for owners.
The factory, on a 1.2-million sq. metre site, will produce 100,000 vehicles in its first year, and ramp up to 175,000 vehicles in 2024. It’s not known if the government has an investment in Togg but it has given a commitment to purchase of 30,000 Togg vehicles units which will supplied over a 15-year period. Exports are likely to start around 15 months after domestic sales begin and the main markets will be those in Europe where EV sales are high, eg Scandinavia.
Togg’s EVs will finally realise an original ‘national car’ for Turkiye. Other companies have tried since the 1960s but did not succeed. Proton’s former importer also had a try at making a national car. In fact, during the late 1990s, EP Manufacturing Bhd of Malaysia was involved in the development of a model called the iMZA 700 for Jetpa Holding. Production was to have started in 2002 but due to problems that Jetpa had with German and Turkish government agencies, the project was killed. Under President Erdogan, greater efforts have been made to develop a strong domestic auto industry and Togg is the key player in this area.
