Turkey's autoparts sector targets Middle East in $7 billion export drive

Published January 26th, 2003 - 03:00 GMT

Turkey is targeting Middle East demand for vehicle spare parts and accessories, as part of its strategy to raise its worldwide automotive sector exports from $4.5 billion to seven billion dollars within five years.

Official industry figures show the Middle East and North Africa account for 11 percent of Turkey's $1.34 billion exports of vehicle spare parts and accessories. After textiles and food, the automotive sector is Turkey's third largest manufacturing industry, employing more than 500,000 people. Over 3,500 small and medium size companies provide components for many of the world's leading car makers, including General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Opel, Toyota, Ford and Volkswagen.

The campaign on the region's expanding component and accessories aftermarket will be spearheaded in March by the country's first official national pavilion at Automotive Aftermarket Middle East (AAME) 2003 – the Middle East's biggest trade show for automotive parts, accessories, tires, batteries and garage equipment. — (menareport.com)