Renault SA, France's second-biggest automaker, will start producing a new version of its Symbol car at its factory in northwest Turkey, said Alain Gabillet, chief executive officer of Renault's Turkish unit.After the Association of Automotive Distribution (ODD) revealed its latest Turkish automotive market report, Renault Group, an important brand in the Turkish automotive sector for almost 40 years, held a press meeting Monday to evaluate auto sector activities in 2007. Besides Gabillet, other company executives, including Renault Mais General Manager İbrahim Aybar and Dacia Brand Director Orhan Çetin attended the meeting and provided significant information about the latest developments in the group's production and success in Turkey. Following the production of brands such as Megane II Sedan, Symbol, Clio, and Clio Grand Tour in Turkey, Gabillet gave notice of a brand new Renault model, which will be manufactured in Turkey. “A second series of Megane family will also be produced in facilities located in Bursa,” he added. Renault, including the commercial vehicles and passenger cars, implemented the sale of 82,694 units, corresponding to 13,9 percent of Turkey's entire domestic automotive market, according to the ODD report. Out of 82,694 units sold, nearly 60,000 were passenger cars, which has given Renault a leading position in Turkey's automotive sector, with a market share of 16,7 percent.

“Within the past 10 years, Renault sustained its success story by keeping the lead position in car production, export and sales [in units] in Turkey,” said Aybar.

“Recording sale of 23,229 units, gave [Renault] Symbol the top-selling car in Turkey which is followed by Renault Megane,” he added.  Gabillet, who also took the stage, reflected on the future projections of the company as well as evaluating 2007.  “Compared to 2006, the automotive sector recorded a shrinkage of 3,7 percent,” he said and added, “however, Renault still managed to increase its market share by 1 percent.” Drawing attention to 54 percent increase in the diesel engine car sales, according to December 2007 data,  “Oyak Renault is planning to increase its production by 20 percent via the projected manufacturing of the first diesel engine ‘K9K' in Turkey,” said Gabillet. “Considering 2007 was a year of investment, 2008 is projected to be a year of leap,” he said and added, “this year Renault will renew its image and adopt more environmentalist, more sentimental and more customer focused vision.”  “As 20 percent represents the domestic market share, 80 percent represent the export share of the estimated production, ” said Gabillet. “Turkey has made its position safe in the automotive sector … We are expecting to reach a production of 320,000 units, by investing an additional $200 billion during this year.

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