Automotive industry in China

Troubles in the European auto market are posing risks to Turkish carmakers, according to Cengiz Eroldu, the president of the Automotive Manufacturers' Association.

Eroldu noted that Europe is the largest export market for the Turkish auto industry.

Beijing said on Tuesday it had lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the European Union's decision to impose hefty tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars.

European and Chinese automakers faced off at the Paris Motor Show as they seek to make electric vehicles affordable for the broader public as the sector faces stalling sales in many countries.

The biennial show has long been a major industry showcase, tracing its history to 1898.

China has requested for consultations with Türkiye at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over additional tariffs Ankara imposed on imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China.

"This discriminatory action is a violation of WTO rules and a typical protectionist practice," China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

Chinese carmaker BYD, which plans to build a factory in Türkiye, has been holding talks with auto part suppliers across the country, according to Albert Saydam, the president of the Automotive Suppliers' Association (TAYSAD).

BYD's planned production plant and R&D center is the first foreign investment in the Turkish automotive sector in 27 years.

The Environmental Impact Assessment process has been initiated for the factory to be built by Chinese carmaker BYD in the western province of Manisa.

In July, BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle producer, signed an agreement with the Turkish Industry and Technology Ministry to set up a factory and make R&D investments in Türkiye worth $1 billion.

EU countries on Friday gave a definitive green light to hefty additional tariffs on electric cars made in China, despite strong opposition led by Germany and fears it will spark a trade war with Beijing.

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Chinese automaker Chery on an automobile investment and has reached the final stages of the process, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır has said.

The minister, however, did not provide other details.

The Trade Ministry has imposed strict conditions on imported plug-in hybrid vehicles that are likely to affect Chinese carmakers the most.

The new regulation, which was published in the Official Gazette on Sept. 20 and takes effect in 30 days, lays out requirements for importers to meet.

Turkey's trade ministry imposed strict conditions on the import of plug-in hybrid vehicles from some countries, including China, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette on Friday.

The move follows a decision in June to limit imports of electric vehicles.