Karsan CEO Okan Baş, speaking on the "Auto Economy" program on CNBC-e, outlined the company's future vision. Speaking ahead of the CES trade show in Las Vegas, Baş stated that by 2030, there will be a shortage of 80,000 drivers in Germany alone, adding, "Autonomy in public transportation is becoming a necessity, not a luxury. With our AI vision, Karsan is the brand best prepared to fill this gap.".
While the automotive world's attention is focused on CES, the world's largest technology fair, which opens its doors tomorrow (January 7, 2026) in Las Vegas, a strategic move has come from Karsan, one of Türkiye's commercial vehicle giants. In an interview with Emre Özpeynirci, Karsan CEO Okan Baş announced that the company is now positioned not just as a "vehicle manufacturer," but as a "mobility technology company.".
We analyzed Karsan's CEO's strategic roadmap regarding its expansion into the US, autonomous driving projects, and hydrogen, the fuel of the future.
“Karsan AI Vision: A Technological Solution for a Driverless Future
The most striking technical detail in Okan Baş's statements was the rationale behind the commercialization of autonomous driving technology. While autonomous driving in passenger cars is still overshadowed by legal and ethical debates, Karsan has shifted its focus to a "rational" need: public transportation.
The European Driver Crisis is an Opportunity for Karsan.
Baş stated that, according to research, this figure will rise in 2030 in Germany alone. 80,000 bus driver shortage. He stated that this would happen. Rising personnel costs and labor shortages are pushing municipalities towards autonomous solutions.
Level 4 Leadership
Karsan has proven its capabilities in this field by producing the first Level 4 autonomous bus to transport passengers in open traffic in Europe and the USA with its e-ATAK model. The company will introduce this at the CES trade show. “Karsan AI” (Autonomous Intelligence) With this concept, it is showcasing the AI-powered decision-making capabilities of its vehicles on a global stage.
A World History Achievement: "The First Full-Size Autonomous Bus" Bears the Signature of Karsan.
Okan Baş particularly emphasized that Karsan is not just a follower but a pioneering brand in autonomous driving technology. While the sector generally conducts experiments with small-sized "pod" or "shuttle" style vehicles, Karsan made a bold move in 2021. the world's first full-size (8-meter class) autonomous bus the one which... Autonomous e-ATAK‘It was recalled that it had launched [the product/service].
Baş stated that this success was not just on paper; he has been in Stavanger, Norway for 4 years. in real city traffic (open traffic) And by transporting ticketed passengers It was stated that operational excellence was achieved. This project stands out as the most concrete reference proving the speed and courage of Turkish engineering in integrating autonomous technologies into commercial life on the global stage.
From Rotterdam to Stavanger: 16 Different Autonomous Routes in the Heart of Europe
Okan Baş detailed how the Autonomous e-ATAK has evolved from an R&D project into a part of daily life in critical locations across Europe, specifying the cities and countries involved. He mentioned Norway's example. Stavanger The vehicle, which carries ticketed passengers on a challenging route from tunnels to intersections in the city, is located in the Netherlands. Rotterdam At the airport, it operates as the world's first autonomous airport shuttle service (apron transfer). Baş also stated, Switzerland And Swedish Stating that the first autonomous buses serving in open traffic on the roads bear the signature of Karsan, they added that by the end of 2025, the total In 16 different projects Karsan proudly emphasized that artificial intelligence was at the wheel.
Exports from Norway to the USA
The 2025 data shared in the program proves that Karsan's "Electric Evolution" strategy is bearing fruit:
- Sales Record: Electric vehicle sales, which started with 69 units in 2019, are projected to reach this level by 2025 alone. 624 units It has reached a total of over 2,000 electric vehicles.
- US Landing: Following its launch in Orlando, from the US market Order for 10 autonomous e-JEST units. This was achieved. For the Turkish automotive industry, this represents "high-tech export" to a challenging market like the US.
Rapid Rise in the EuroLeague: Market Share Rises to %5.5, Ranking Climbs to 7th Place
Programda Karsan’ın Avrupa karnesini de değerlendiren Okan Baş, “Elektrikli Evrim” stratejisinin somut çıktılarını rakamlarla ortaya koydu. 2025 yılını Avrupa genelinde 624 adetlik elektrikli araç satışıyla kapatarak yıllık bazda %30’luk bir büyüme ivmesi yakaladıklarını belirten Baş, kritik bir eşiğin aşıldığını duyurdu. Karsan, faaliyet gösterdiği segmentlerde pazar payını %5,5 by raising it to that level, standing out among its global competitors and entering the European league. 7th place Baş emphasized that this journey, which began with only 69 vehicles in 2019, has now reached a fleet of over 2,000 electric vehicles, which is the clearest indication of Turkish engineering's rise from nothing to the top.
Toyota and Hydrogen Partnership
Karsan is not limiting itself to just battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Okan Baş says that alongside electric and autonomous vehicles, they are looking for a third strategic pillar. Hydrogen They announced that they had implemented the technology.
Japanese giant Toyota As part of a strategic collaboration, Karsan, utilizing Toyota's fuel cell technology, exported its first hydrogen-powered buses to Italy. The goal is to completely eliminate range limitations by launching 18-meter-long articulated hydrogen buses in 2027.
Renault Megane and later models: "Our 100,000 capacity will not remain empty."“
Another important strength of Karsan is its "contract manufacturing" capability. Karsan, which undertook the production of the Renault Megane Sedan, one of Türkiye's best-selling cars, has this agreement. By the end of 2027 It's ending.
Okan Baş also gave confident messages on this matter:
“Megane production has given us the capability and culture to manufacture automobiles. The agreement may be extended or it may end. However, we have a flexible and ready capacity of 100,000 units per year, capable of producing for any brand. Many brands are knocking on our door, and we will continue to use this capacity in the most efficient way.”
“Made in Türkiye” actually means “Made in Europe”.
At the end of the program, Baş touched upon the upcoming EU regulations, emphasizing that the Turkish automotive supply industry is inextricably linked to the European automotive ecosystem. Karsan's story summarizes how a manufacturer from Bursa, by investing in the right technology (Autonomous and Electric) at the right time, can reach a level where it can showcase its technology in Las Vegas.
Keywords: Karsan CES 2026, Okan Baş, Autonomous Bus, Karsan AI, Driverless Vehicle, Karsan US Export, Renault Megane Production, Toyota Hydrogen Partnership.
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