As global carmakers continue to migrate east in search of lower labour costs and new markets, Turkey’s automotive manufacturers are pinning their hopes on the country becoming Europe’s next regional powerhouse for car and truck production.

Vehicle exports from Turkey – mostly to Europe – rose 25 per cent to 637,360 units last year, almost double the level in 2003, according to the Turkish Automotive Manufacturing Association (OSD). About half of all cars manufactured in Turkey are exported to the European Union.