Turkey Partners with China in Electric Vehicle Production, Research and Development, and Sales in the European Market
How Affordable Electric Cars Will Be Offered to Europeans
We’re witnessing a cutting edge research and development center coming into Turkey, which will be a hub for technological advancement of electric cars and batteries. China’s BYD, a major electric car manufacturer is partnering with Turkey in building a plant that will be positioned to sell electric cars in the European market without the 38% tariff imposed on cars imported from China. This will make electric cars more affordable. Fantastic!
The geoeconomic landscape just shifted in a major way again. Turkey works as a geographic bridge between China, Europe, and the Middle East. I've written before that Turkey is a major player in the world today because it belongs to both NATO and observer status with the SCO, which it intends to join as well as BRICS. This deal is an important milestone for Turkey to become accepted in these growing Asian powerhouses.
“This China’s EV market boom is powered by homegrown champions like BYD, NIO, Xpeng, and Geely. These brands aren't just ruling in China; they're making waves globally. BYD, now the world’s top EV maker, even surpasses Tesla in sales. NIO, known as the “Tesla of China,” shines with top-notch tech and premium EVs. Meanwhile, Xpeng and Geely are expanding with diverse EV models, boosting China's global EV influence.
These Chinese brands are leveraging domestic success to storm international markets, posing tough competition to Western giants. Their affordable, cutting-edge EVs make them major players worldwide.
While China’s EV dominance raises trade and geopolitical concerns, it's also crucial for speeding up the global shift to eco-friendly transport. Leading in EV tech and adoption, China is driving global progress towards greener mobility solutions. BYD's recent $1 billion investment in a new plant in Turkey is a major step in its European expansion plan. Set to start production by 2026, this facility will be BYD’s first in Europe, boosting its access to the EU market.”
There is yet another reason for Turkey playing a major role in the world today; they inherited the legacy of the Ottoman Empire. This legacy is both mercantile and intellectual. It's also diplomatic.