Ford Otosan
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Ford–Koç Holding automotive joint venture headquartered in Turkey and focused on commercial vehicles, trucks, engines, powertrains, engineering, and vehicle manufacturing.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Ford Otosan is the trading name of Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.Ş., a Turkish automotive manufacturing and engineering company jointly owned by Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding. It is one of the most important industrial partnerships in Turkey and serves as a major Ford production and development base for commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, engines, and related powertrains. Although the company in its present joint-venture form dates from 1977, the relationship between Ford and the Koç group traces back to 1928, when Vehbi Koç became a Ford dealer in Ankara. The partnership developed through several stages. Ford received permission in 1929 to operate a small assembly facility in Istanbul's Tophane free zone, where limited numbers of Model A and Model B vehicles were assembled before the activity ended in 1934. Koç later established Otosan, short for Otomotiv Sanayii, with a factory in Istanbul in 1959. Production began with the Ford Consul in 1960 and expanded to Thames commercial vehicles, the Thames Trader, Ford D-Series trucks, and other models. In 1966, Otosan began producing the Anadol, widely recognized as Turkey's first mass-produced passenger car. The company also produced the Anadol STC-16 sports car during the 1970s. A Ford licensing agreement in 1977 led to the adoption of the Ford Otosan name and formalized the modern structure of the business. Ford increased its ownership stake during the 1980s and 1990s, reaching equal partnership with Koç Holding in 1997. The company subsequently shifted toward export-oriented commercial-vehicle production. Its İnönü plant in Eskişehir became a center for heavy trucks, engines, and transmissions, while the Gölcük plant in Kocaeli, opened in 2001, became a principal global manufacturing location for the Ford Transit. A second Kocaeli facility at Yeniköy expanded production of compact commercial vehicles and later became associated with newer Transit Custom programs. Ford Otosan's portfolio has historically included passenger cars, vans, pickups, buses, and heavy trucks, but its strategic identity is now strongly associated with commercial vehicles. The company manufactures or has manufactured the Ford Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Courier, Tourneo derivatives, F-Max heavy truck, and Ford Puma at its Turkish and Romanian facilities. Its engineering capabilities include vehicle development, diesel and other powertrain technologies, manufacturing engineering, and product adaptation for international markets. The Sancaktepe Engineering Center in Istanbul supports product and technology development, while the Kartal parts-distribution operation supports marketing, after-sales, and spare-parts activities. The company's geographic footprint expanded significantly when Ford Otosan acquired Ford's Craiova plant in Romania in 2022. Craiova added production of the Ford Puma and Transit/Tourneo Courier to the joint venture's European manufacturing network, including electric versions of selected products. Ford Otosan therefore operates across Turkey and Romania, with products exported to numerous international markets. The company reported a workforce of more than 20,000 and, by 2024, production capacity exceeding 934,500 vehicles, 430,000 engines, and 112,000 powertrains across its facilities. Its current position combines Ford's global vehicle platforms and technology with Koç Holding's Turkish industrial base, manufacturing expertise, and regional market presence.
History
Ford Otosan's history combines Ford's Turkish activities with the industrial development of Koç Holding's automotive businesses. The relationship began in 1928, when Vehbi Koç was appointed a Ford dealer in Ankara. In 1929, Ford received authorization to establish a small assembly operation in Istanbul's Tophane free zone. The facility assembled limited quantities of Model A and Model B vehicles during the early Depression-era period, but assembly ended in 1934. Koç's later automotive manufacturing effort took shape through Otosan, whose Istanbul factory foundation was laid in 1959. The first vehicle produced there was the Ford Consul in 1960. Production then expanded to the Thames and Thames Trader commercial vehicles, followed by D-Series trucks. In 1966, Otosan began producing the Anadol, a locally developed mass-production passenger car that became an important milestone in Turkey's automotive history. The company also produced the Anadol STC-16 sports car from 1973 to 1975. In 1977, Otosan signed a licensing agreement with Ford and adopted the Ford Otosan name. This agreement provided the framework for the modern joint venture. A new plant at İnönü in Eskişehir opened in the early 1980s and became a center for heavy trucks, engines, and powertrain manufacturing. Ford increased its ownership interest to 30 percent in 1983 and later to 41 percent in 1997, when Ford and Koç Holding became equal partners. During this period, Ford Taunus, Ford Escort, Ford Transit, and Ford Cargo products were added or updated in the Turkish production system. The company began a major transition toward large-scale commercial-vehicle manufacturing with the Gölcük plant in Kocaeli. Opened in 2001, Gölcük became a principal global production center for the Ford Transit and supported production of Transit-related commercial vehicles. The company later added the Yeniköy plant within the Kocaeli industrial complex. Yeniköy began producing the Transit and Tourneo Courier in 2014 and subsequently became part of the manufacturing transition toward newer Transit Custom products. Ford Otosan also developed substantial engineering capabilities. Its Sancaktepe Engineering Center in Istanbul, established in 2014, supports vehicle and technology development and employs more than 1,000 product-development engineers according to the reference material. The company has also maintained parts distribution and after-sales infrastructure in Istanbul. In the heavy-truck field, Ford Otosan developed and produced Ford Cargo and later F-Max products, while its İnönü operations supported engines and transmissions as well as truck assembly. The company has increasingly participated in electrification and advanced-vehicle development. In 2018, Ford presented the F-Vision electric tractor-trailer concept at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, with a stated ambition of highly automated driving capability. Electrified versions of products produced at the Romanian plant were planned for the 2020s. A major corporate turning point came in 2022, when Ford Otosan agreed to acquire Ford Motor Company's Craiova factory in Romania. The transfer was completed on July 1, 2022. Craiova, originally established in 1976 and previously associated with Oltcit, Daewoo, and Ford production, gave Ford Otosan an additional European manufacturing base. The plant produces the Ford Puma and Transit/Tourneo Courier, while Courier production was transferred from Turkey to Romania during 2023. By 2024, Ford Otosan operated facilities in Gölcük and Yeniköy in Kocaeli, İnönü in Eskişehir, Craiova in Romania, and engineering and parts operations in Istanbul. Its reported capacity exceeded 934,500 vehicles, 430,000 engines, and 112,000 powertrains, and its workforce exceeded 20,000. The company has consequently evolved from a Turkish licensed assembler into an international Ford manufacturing and engineering hub centered on commercial vehicles and powertrain production.
- 2024
Expanded manufacturing and powertrain capacity
[1]The company was reported to have capacity exceeding 934,500 vehicles, 430,000 engines, and 112,000 powertrains, with more than 20,000 employees.
- 2022
Craiova acquisition completed
[1]Ford Otosan took ownership of Ford's Craiova factory in Romania, expanding its European manufacturing network.
- 2018
F-Vision electric truck concept presented
[1]Ford presented the F-Vision electric tractor-trailer concept at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Germany.
- 2014
Yeniköy plant starts production
[1]The Yeniköy facility began producing Transit and Tourneo Courier vehicles, adding capacity to the Kocaeli manufacturing complex.
- 2001
Gölcük plant becomes operational
[1]The Kocaeli plant began operations and became a principal global manufacturing site for the Ford Transit.
- 1997
Ford and Koç become equal partners
[1]Ford increased its ownership share to 41 percent, resulting in equal partnership with Koç Holding.
- 1979
İnönü plant opens
[1]A new plant in Eskişehir was opened and later became a major site for heavy trucks, engines, and powertrains.
- 1977
Ford Otosan is established in its modern form
[1]A Ford licensing agreement led to the adoption of the Ford Otosan name and formalized the modern joint-venture structure.
- 1967
Ford Transit production starts
[1]The Ford Transit entered Turkish production and later became the company's most important global commercial-vehicle program.
- 1966
Anadol enters mass production
[1]Otosan began producing the Anadol, an important early mass-produced passenger vehicle developed in Turkey.
Products and positioning
A large-scale Ford–Koç industrial joint venture positioned as a global commercial-vehicle manufacturing, engineering, and powertrain hub, with particular strength in vans, heavy trucks, export production, and automotive technology development.
Commercial van · 1967
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is Ford Otosan's signature commercial-vehicle program and has been produced in Turkey since 1967. The Gölcük plant became a major global production center for the model, supplying vehicles for international markets. Transit derivatives include passenger, cargo, and specialized configurations. The program anchors Ford Otosan's identity as a high-volume commercial-vehicle manufacturer.
Commercial van · 2012
Ford Transit Custom
Transit Custom is a medium-sized commercial-vehicle family produced within Ford Otosan's Kocaeli manufacturing network. It complements the larger Transit with configurations aimed at businesses, fleet operators, and passenger transport users. The Yeniköy plant was designated for production of the newer generation after Courier manufacturing shifted to Romania.
Compact commercial vehicle · 2014
Ford Transit/Tourneo Courier
The Transit Courier and passenger-oriented Tourneo Courier are compact commercial vehicles that entered production at Yeniköy in 2014. Turkish production ended in 2023 as the program moved to Ford Otosan's Craiova facility in Romania, where a newer generation was introduced. The line broadens the company's commercial-vehicle range below the Transit Custom.
Heavy truck · 2018
Ford F-Max
The F-Max is Ford Otosan's modern heavy tractor-truck program and follows the company's long history of producing Ford Cargo heavy trucks. Development and production draw on the İnönü plant's truck, engine, and powertrain capabilities. The vehicle represents Ford Otosan's role in developing products for international heavy-commercial-vehicle markets.
Passenger crossover · 2022
Ford Puma
The Ford Puma is a compact crossover produced at the Craiova plant in Romania after Ford Otosan acquired the facility. Although production of the model at Craiova began before the acquisition, it became part of Ford Otosan's manufacturing portfolio from 2022 onward. The plant also supports electrified versions associated with the Puma and related production programs.
Heavy truck · 1983
Ford Cargo and F-Line
Ford Cargo was produced at the İnönü plant beginning in the 1980s and established Ford Otosan's long-term competence in heavy trucks. The line later evolved through newer truck products and contributed to the engineering and manufacturing base behind the F-Max. Cargo production connected truck assembly with locally produced engines and powertrains.
Automotive powertrain
Ford Ecotorq engines and powertrains
Ford Otosan's İnönü operations manufacture engines and powertrain components for commercial vehicles. The company's Ecotorq-related technology and production capabilities support heavy-truck applications and form part of its broader role as an integrated vehicle and powertrain manufacturer. By 2024, reported engine and powertrain capacity was substantial alongside vehicle capacity.
Passenger car · 1966
Anadol
Anadol was a pioneering Turkish passenger vehicle produced by Otosan from 1966 to 1984. It is historically significant as one of Turkey's first mass-produced domestically developed automobiles. The model demonstrated Otosan's early role in building a national automotive industry before the company moved increasingly toward Ford-branded commercial vehicles and export manufacturing.
Brand decisions
2023
Move Courier production from Turkey to RomaniaGeneration changeBackground
Ford Otosan reorganized production of the Courier line after taking control of the Craiova plant and preparing the next generation of the vehicle.
Action taken
Courier production ended in Turkey in July 2023 and moved to Craiova in October 2023, where the newer generation was launched.
Aftermath
The Yeniköy facility was redirected toward production of the newer Transit Custom, while Craiova assumed a larger role in compact commercial vehicles.
2022
Acquire Ford's Craiova manufacturing operationsM&ABackground
Ford Otosan sought to expand its European manufacturing footprint and add capacity for passenger crossovers and commercial vehicles.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire Ford Romania and completed the transfer of the Craiova factory on July 1, 2022.
Aftermath
Craiova became Ford Otosan's Romanian production base for the Puma and Transit/Tourneo Courier, with electrified production also planned or introduced in the following period.
Acquisition consideration. €625 million paid at completion, plus up to €140 million payable in 2028 subject to production capacity conditions (2022 transaction; contingent payment referenced for 2028)
2001
Shift major Transit production to GölcükStrategyBackground
Ford Otosan needed a larger, more modern manufacturing base for commercial vehicles and international production programs.
Action taken
The Gölcük plant in Kocaeli became operational and was developed as a principal global production center for the Ford Transit.
Aftermath
Gölcük became a cornerstone of Ford Otosan's export and commercial-vehicle strategy, with its own port and substantial annual vehicle capacity.
1977
Formalize the Ford licensing and joint-venture relationshipStrategyBackground
Otosan had already produced Ford-related vehicles and operated within a long-standing Koç–Ford commercial relationship. A formal licensing agreement created the basis for the modern Ford Otosan identity and expanded Ford's role in the Turkish manufacturing business.
Action taken
The company adopted the Ford Otosan name and continued developing Ford vehicle production in Turkey.
Aftermath
The arrangement eventually developed into an equal Ford–Koç Holding partnership and a major export-oriented commercial-vehicle manufacturing operation.
Sources1 sources
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