Tofaş

Tofaş (acronym for Türk Otomobil Fabrikası Anonim Şirketi; Turkish Automobile Factory Joint-Stock Company pronounced tofaʃ) is a Turkish automobile manufacturer which was established in 1968 by Vehbi Koç, who was the founder of Koç Holding, based in Bursa, where the manufacturing plant of the company is located. It is jointly owned by Stellantis and Koç Holding (37.8% of the company's shares belong to Stellantis (through Fiat Group Automobiles); 37.8% to Koç Holding; and 24.3% freefloat). Tofaş manufactures both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It is one of the biggest automakers in the sector with its 7,000 employees and 450,000 vehicles annual production capacity. Tofaş manufactures for the Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Vauxhall and RAM brands in Bursa, which has achieved for it the “Gold Level” within the scope of the WCM-World Class Manufacturing Program that is implemented in the 175 plants within the framework of Stellantis. Tofaş plays a leading role in Turkish automotive sector; it conducts sales and after sales operations for the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Jeep, Ferrari, and Maserati brands in Turkey. Tofaş exported 160,000 units to 80 countries in 2013. It also recorded 7 billion TL net sales income and 434 million TL net profit. Fulfilling 22% of the total production in Turkey with its 240,000 units in the previous year, Tofaş achieved 1.6 billion euro export income by increasing its export volume by 4%. 1968 — Tofaş was founded. 1969 — the foundation of the company’s production plant was laid in Bursa. 1971 — the first Tofaş model was a Fiat 124, produced under license from Fiat and locally named Murat 124 (with a later version named as Serçe). The first motorsport team was established. 1973 — the OPAR, which was based on automotive spare parts, was founded. 1974 — Tofaş Sport Club was established. 1975 — exports began to Egypt. 1976 — Murat 131 model was produced. 1981 — production began of Kartal and Doğan models. 1990 — Tempra model was produced. 1994 — Uno model was produced.