The Turkish automobile industry in the light of international developments

Abstract

ABSTRACT THE TURKISH AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS Ganioğju, Aytül M. S., Department of Economics Supervisor Prof. Dr. Fikret Senses September 1996, 124 pages The world automobile industry has been going through a major transformation as a result of increased competition following the penetration of Japanese firms into international markets after the late 1960s. Today, competition is across the globe, not on a national or continental level. The aim of this study is to evaluate the challenges the Turkish automobile industry will face within the next few decades, in the light of international developments, in particular the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union. In this respect, the major transformations the world automobile industry went through are analyzed with special emphasis on `lean` production. In addition, automobile industry in the European Union is examined in terms of main indicators and major challenges it faces in order to better evaluate the future status of the Turkish automobile industry. After a brief review of the government policies towards Turkish automobile industry, new problems and challenges that the industry will face in the years ahead are discussed. Keywords: Automobile Industry, Customs Union, competition, competitiveness, lean production 111

ABSTRACT THE TURKISH AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS Ganioğju, Aytül M. S., Department of Economics Supervisor Prof. Dr. Fikret Senses September 1996, 124 pages The world automobile industry has been going through a major transformation as a result of increased competition following the penetration of Japanese firms into international markets after the late 1960s. Today, competition is across the globe, not on a national or continental level. The aim of this study is to evaluate the challenges the Turkish automobile industry will face within the next few decades, in the light of international developments, in particular the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union. In this respect, the major transformations the world automobile industry went through are analyzed with special emphasis on `lean` production. In addition, automobile industry in the European Union is examined in terms of main indicators and major challenges it faces in order to better evaluate the future status of the Turkish automobile industry. After a brief review of the government policies towards Turkish automobile industry, new problems and challenges that the industry will face in the years ahead are discussed. Keywords: Automobile Industry, Customs Union, competition, competitiveness, lean production 111