Temsa, Turkish-based manufacturer of coaches and buses, part of Sabanci group, estimates to sell around 200 units on the Romanian market this year, which would account for around 10% of the overall production the company exports to Europe.
"We have been present in Romania for around 8-9 years through a domestic dealer (Mit Motors International i.e.). Domestic sales are not very large, but are the most important in the region, exceeding those in Hungary or Greece in terms of value," stated Mehmet Buldurgan, Temsa's general manager.
In Hungary, Temsa sells around 130 coaches and buses each year, with sales in Greece revolving around 40 units. Temsa's biggest domestic customer is Atlassib group (owned by businessman Ilie Carabulea), which acquired more than 60 Temsa coaches and buses.
"(...) The rest are small customers, acquiring 5-10 units at the most," stated George Damian, sales manager with Mit Motors International.
In terms of sales, the Turkish producer's most important foreign markets are Germany and France, where the company accounts for 10% of the market of passenger transportation vehicles.
The company is currently developing a network of local offices in Europe, and aims to centralise orders and specifications for each country. Meanwhile, imports will be operated using local importers.
The company currently exports 80% of its production of medium-sized coaches, buses and utility cars, with 70% of exports aimed at Europe.
Temsa's plant, located in Adana, produces 1,000 buses and coaches, 2,000 medium-sized coaches and 7,500 medium-sized utility vehicles each year.
The company announced it carried out, together with a group of universities from Turkey, a project related to the development of alternative propulsion technologies. The project entails development of hybrid coaches and buses, with diesel and electrical engines, and also some hydrogen-driven engines. According to the company's representatives, a prototype will be finalised in around two years and production could start within three years at the earliest.
"Even though demand for hybrid vehicles is higher in the US at present, we expect the European market to reach a similar level in around three years," stated Buldurgan.
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