Japan's automotive giant Toyota will soon be reaching its target through the models manufactured in Adapazarı. Despite the shrinkage of the European market, Toyota is growing says Toyota Motor Europe President Didier Leroy. Sharing their objective to grow in 2013, Leroy says that the Corolla and Verso models produced in Toyota's Adapazarı facilities will contribute to the company's growth. "The renewed Verso and Corolla has reinforced our strength. It is now possible for us to increase our share in the European market," said Leroy.

A GLOBAL CENTER

Explaining that Turkey is a global exporting center, Leroy stated, "We have established Russia, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Europe, in short everywhere as a center we can import to. Due to Turkey's key position, it can function as a center for our global exports. The other key factor is the growth in the internal market. Turkey is closing the deficit we have with our biggest markets in Europe." Explaining that Turkey is the heart of their Europe operations, Leroy stated, "Turkey has a number of advantages. Along with serving as a leading manufacturing center at the heart of our Europe operations, Turkey guarantees its dynamic future."

I ONLY SUPPORT FRANCE IN FOOTBALL

"Don't think that just because I'm French that I will choose France over Turkey in a situation in which the two are rivals. The only time I would choose France over Turkey is in a football game. Turkey has great potential in terms of competition and workforce and the staff's accumulation of knowledge.

IN AUTOS, TURKEY PRESSES ON THE GAS AS EUROPE PUTS ON THE BRAKES

In the automotive world, Turkey has distanced itself in a positive light from the rest of the world. As factories in Europe are forced to close their shutters and let employees go due to the crisis, in Turkey the situation is quite the opposite. Toyota has completed a 150 million Euro investment, while Hyundai has finalized a 1.1 billion lira investment. Ford Otosan has also announced plans to invest 100 million dollars. During this timeframe, employment has also risen.

MANUFACTURING INCREASED AND THE MARKET GREW

In the first half of the year, the automotives sector in Turkey grew in production, exports and sales, whereas Europe has experienced a recession. In the first six months of the year, automotive production increased by one percent to reach 570,000. Automotive sales also increased by 12 percent this year compared to 2012, reaching 401,000. As for exports, in the first six months of the year there was a 4.8 percent rise, totaling 10.636 billion dollars.

This is a translation of an article originally written by Ufuk Sandık.