Production of PSA small vans in Turkey is to be increased to include new versions and exports outside the European union.
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PSA Peugeot Citroën and Karsan, which already builds the first-generation Peugeot Partner (now called Origin after the debut of a redesigned model line) have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly produce the Citroën Berlingo First and Partner Origin and develop and manufacture extended versions.
The stretched models are designed both for Turkey and export markets outside of the European Union.
Production of the longer models begins at the end of 2008 in Karsan’s Bursa plant. 150,000 units will be made by the end of 2013.
PSA said the agreement is in line with the “Cap 2010 momentum” begun in mid-2007, a programme intended to speed and extend the product plan for new vehicle projects by 2010. The key goal is to increase international expansion.
PSA sold 39,100 vehicles in Turkey last year for a 6.6% slice of the market. Turkey is one of the larger markets in central and eastern Europe with about 595,000 units sold in 2007.
Ford also builds a small van – the Transit Connect – at Ford Otosan in Turkey for local sale and export worldwide. That model will be launched in the US next year.
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