Ford Otosan and Tofas have each announced three-week production stoppages as a result of “…annual leave,” the Turkish automotive manufacturers say in notes seen by Kallanish.
During the stoppage Ford Otosan will carry out maintenance work on its Gölcük plant from 29 July-17 August, its Yeniköy plant from 28 July-19 August and its İnönü plant from 27 July-16 August. Tofas will carry out maintenance from 5-25 August.
Turkey’s slowing economy since mid-2018 has curtailed demand for vehicles, thereby reducing requirement for auto steel.
According to Turkish Automotive Manufacturers’ Association (OSD) data, in the first half of 2019 Turkish automotive production fell -12.8% on-year to 735,062 units, with passenger car output down -11.6% to 492,700 units. Turkish domestic passenger car sales fell -43.3% to 156,378 units. Overall automotive exports fell -7.7% to 634,768 units.
