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Otokar exhibited five vehicles at Busworld Turkey
Otokar exhibited five vehicles at Busworld Turkey
  • خاص
  • 19/03/2020
  • 1584

Otokar, the leader of the Turkish bus market for 11 years, showcased five buses at Busworld Turkey 2020. As Turkey’s industry pioneer of electric and alternative-fueled buses, Otokar also exhibited its new 12-meter electric bus. Otokar, a Koç Group company, promoted its vehicles developed for public and tourism transportation to the visitors and users during Busworld Turkey 2020. The company, providing millions of passengers comfortable and safe journeys with more than 40,000 buses in 50 countries, including Turkey as well as Spain, Germany, France, and Belgium to name a few, showcased five buses from its wide product range during the three-day exhibition.

OUR LEADERSHIP RECONFIRMED FOR THE 11TH TIME”

 

H. Basri Akgül, Assistant General Manager, Otokar spoke about the company’s position in Turkey and international markets at a press conference at Istanbul Expo Center. Akgül noted that the vehicles developed and manufactured with 57 years of experience for public, tourism and personnel transportation are used in 50 countries, “With our engineering capabilities, wide product range and solutions tailored to our customers’ needs, we were able to maintain our position in the market in 2019 as Turkey’s most preferred bus brand. We remained focused on long-term goals without being affected by short-term volatilities despite the uncertainties across the globe and tightening in the domestic market. We determined our strategy as increasing our export volume and becoming a global brand. We continue to take bold steps while maintaining our sustainable growth. Otokar’s 2019 revenues reached TL 2.4 billion with 45 percent increase. Our export volume increased by 78 percent to $340 million as the share of exports in total revenues reached 80 percent

 

Akgül added that the 7-10m small and medium bus and the 12-18m public transportation bus segments in which Otokar operates shrank more than 50 percent in domestic market, “Despite this level of contraction in Turkish bus market, we still closed the year as the leader of our respective segments in total. One out of every three buses sold in Turkey was Otokar branded. With this success, our market leadership has been reconfirmed for the 11th time.”

“ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE BUSES SOLD IN TURKEY BEARS THE OTOKAR BRAND

 

Regarding 2019 developments, Akgül said “In 2019 we developed Sultan Comfort –known as Navigo T in export markets- as a versatile vehicle capable of three functions in one for Turkish market. The new vehicle became very popular among tourism, school and personnel shuttle operators. 8,5 meter bus Sultan Mega (known as Navigo T), standing out with its high passenger and luggage capacity, also became the first choice of users in the tourism sector. Otokar ended 2019 as the leader of the small and medium-sized bus market, with one out of every three buses sold in this segment in Turkey also bearing the Otokar brand. In addition to tourism and personnel transportation, we also reinforced the public transport fleets of municipalities across Turkey with our innovative, ecofriendly vehicles. Otokar increased its share in the 12-18m public transportation bus market by 9 points.”

 

“OUR BUS PARK IN EUROPE IS GROWING RAPIDLY” Basri Akgül pointed out that Otokar’s success in the domestic market extends beyond borders as the company increased its bus export volume by 29 percent with Otokar buses currently serving millions of passengers in 50 countries, “In 2019, we continued to represent our country with great success in international markets. Otokar’s bus product park kept growing in a number of countries, especially in Malta, Romania, Italy, Serbia as well as France, which are among our target markets in Europe. The total vehicle park in France alone has now exceeded 2,200 units. We received a fourth order from Malta, where Otokar buses are used widely, bringing the total number of our buses in Malta to over 240. We also completed the deliveries of Bucharest Municipality’s order last year.” R&D SPENDING IN 2019 REACHED TL 136 MILLION Akgül also spoke about Otokar’s pioneering work in product design and development, and the important achievements in alternative-fueled vehicles, “As we implement our growth strategy in global markets, we also integrate the latest technologies and applications into our products. In 2019, our R&D spending amounted to TL 136 million. Otokar’s R&D spending in the last 10 years exceeded TL 1.1 billion.” OTOKAR BUSES SHOWCASED AT BUSWORLD Otokar, which aims to maintain its leadership in the Turkish bus market this year while introducing pioneering developments, exhibited the following vehicles at Busworld Turkey 2020 on 5-7 March. Kent Electra: 12 meter electric bus Kent Electra, known as e-KENT C in export markets, was exhibited at Busworld. Otokar aims to contribute to the sustainable development of cities with its new electric bus which stands apart with its innovative design and technologies. With a capacity of up to 95 passengers, the bus is designed to contribute to a cleaner environment, quieter traffic, lower operating costs and higher efficiency. Kent Electra, with its dynamic, elegant and modern design, offers improved visibility and comfort for its passengers with its spacious interior volume. Sultan LF: Sultan LF, known as AGILO C in export markets, is a reflection of Otokar’s innovative design philosophy. Sultan LF offers power and efficiency with high engine power and lightweight frame, bringing a modern solution for cities with narrow streets with its 8.3-meter length, high torque value at low speeds, wide front and rear doors, and full low-floor design. Sultan Mega: 8,5 meter Sultan Mega, known as Navigo T in export markets, offers high power and comfort for its users and passengers, as well as a total capacity of 35+1+1 people. Sultan Mega, which is widely popular in Turkey’s tourism transportation, stands apart with special equipment for the tourism, offering a pleasant ride with its flat and wide passenger corridor, wide-spaced seats and high luggage volume. Sultan Comfort: 7,2 meter Sultan Comfort, known as Navigo T in export markets, is renewed for Turkish market as a versatile bus that serves three purposes in one vehicle with its new features. The new Sultan Comfort, updated for tourism, school and personnel shuttle operators, stands out with its 29+1 passenger capacity, low operating costs, excellent performance and durability. Doruk T: 10 meter Doruk T, known as Ulyso T in export markets, comes with standard 39+1+1 and optional 43+1+1 passenger capacity versions in Turkish market. The vehicle, with features like high luggage capacity, spacious interior and passenger comfort in the forefront, offers safety systems such as full dry-air disc braking system, ABS, and EBS, as well as driver assist technologies including lane departure warning system (LDWS), advanced AEBS braking system, ASR, and ESP as standard. ABOUT OTOKAR Otokar offers special solutions tailored to the needs of its customers using its own technology, design and applications. Otokar, a part of Koç Group, the largest conglomerate in Turkey, designs and manufactures a wide range of commercial vehicles including buses and light trucks.