Sharing photos of prototypes of domestically produced cars, as well as footage and thoughts from his own test drive, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Işık made the following statements.
“These vehicles are camouflaged, friends. In the automotive industry, camouflage is considered a necessity during the prototyping and testing phases of vehicles. These headlights you see are not normal headlights; they will be different. These lines you see will appear different; we have to cover them. Currently, our prototypes have been produced. Three of our prototypes are currently being worked on at TÜBİTAK's Gebze Center, where they are being loaded with technologies developed by TÜBİTAK itself and where some tests and R&D studies are being conducted. This is a special track, a test track. There, we can test how quickly the vehicle can accelerate, how quickly it can stop, its fuel performance, and other features of the vehicle…”
Showing a photograph of the vehicle's interior, Işık stated that the prototypes would be further developed. Regarding a photo showing three prototypes simultaneously, Işık said:
“We currently have 3 prototypes produced, and a 4th prototype, the RW Crossover, is also being produced. Its production is almost complete. These three are different: one hatchback, one sedan, and another sedan, but one is a gasoline-powered vehicle, one is an extended-range electric vehicle, and one is purely electric. One is an extended-range electric crossover, which we call an extended-range ‘jeep,’ and that is currently in production. So, all of this is proceeding according to our current schedule. We have collaborating institutions here, but what happens next is crucial. This technology is now easily accessible to everyone in the world. From now on, it will rely more on R&D and innovation. We will apply extended-range electric vehicle technology to these vehicles. While doing this, we will focus more on the comfort and safety of the vehicle.”.
God willing, in 2016 we aim to produce 30-40 vehicles that we will test in all kinds of seasons, climates and terrain conditions. We also aim to start mass production in Türkiye before 2020, hopefully by the end of 2019. This coincides with a transitional period in the global automotive industry. If there are no setbacks, and if Türkiye doesn't have any stability problems at this point, and if we continue this project as planned, we believe that in 2020 we will be able to offer a Turkish brand to our people as a choice.
When asked whether the projects would be developed under the leadership of TÜBİTAK, Minister Işık responded, “Currently, we are in the lead. This is not a burden that the private sector can shoulder alone. Today, the number of personnel working in R&D at global automobile companies is greater than the number of personnel working at TÜBİTAK. In such a world, saying ‘Private sector, you should do the R&D yourself’ is not very realistic. At this point, TÜBİTAK will take the lead. As the state, we will provide all kinds of support to R&D. We will also be directly involved, but our goal is for the private sector to take the lead in mass production. The private sector should carry out mass production.”.
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