Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim received an electric SUV as a gift from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday (February 11).
The Togg T10X was presented as a symbol of friendship between the two countries during President Erdogan’s recent official visit to Malaysia.
The Togg T10X is a segment C electric SUV produced by the Turkish automotive manufacturer Togg.
There are two powertrain configurations available: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) version with 218 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and an all-wheel drive (AWD) version with 436 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
The 52.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack allows for a range of up to 314 km, while the 88.5 kWh version offers a range of up to 523 km on a full charge.
BYD has reportedly agreed to invest $1 billion in an assembly plant in Turkiye as part of its efforts to further expand its brand into the European region.
BYD’s Chairman Wang Chuanfu and Turkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir signed an investment deal in Istanbul, witnessed by President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Local media reports claim the manufacturing plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 vehicles and is expected to create around 5,000 job opportunities.
The plant is expected to commence operations by the end of 2026. However, the specific models to be assembled at the upcoming facility are currently unknown.
The deal comes hot on the heels of the European Union (EU) slapping extra provisional tariffs of up to 38% on EVs imported from China.
To make matters worse for the Chinese manufacturers, Turkiye had previously announced a 40% import tariff on all vehicles from China to protect its automotive industry.
But by establishing an assembly plant in Turkiye, BYD can now bring its cars into Europe without having to deal with the import tariffs, as Turkiye is part of EU’s Customs Union.
China is the world’s largest EV producer, and with the fierce price war in the country, Chinese EV makers have been aggressively exporting their cars overseas.
The influx of Chinese EVs has led several countries to impose high tariffs not only on EVs but also various goods from China to protect their economies.
One way to avoid these tariffs is by starting local assembly operations. BYD has started making its move in the Old Continent with the announcement of assembly plants in Hungary and Turkiye.
On top of that, the brand has recently launched an assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand, cementing its presence in the Southeast Asian region.
The first indigenous fighter aircraft built by Turkey, named KAAN, successfully completed its maiden flight at the Akinci airbase near Ankara.
Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), announced on Twitter that the maiden flight lasted for 13 minutes. The aircraft reached a speed of 230 knots and an altitude of 8,000 feet.
Development of the fighter aircraft began in December 2010, with the concept design contract signed between TAI and the government in August 2011. The development contract followed in August 2016.
The program aims to produce a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that meets the requirements of the Turkish Air Force after 2030, replacing the country’s fleet of F-16s. Turkey aims to be among the countries with a complete fighter aircraft production chain, from technology and infrastructure to human resources and production capabilities.
With a wingspan of 46 feet and a length of 69 feet, KAAN is equipped with two engines. The initial prototype is powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan engines. However, the final version will utilize engines developed by Turkey’s own company, TRMotor.
TAI will produce five more prototype units, and the Turkish government has purchased 10 sets of F110 engines.
This fifth-generation Turkish fighter aircraft will combine several features, serving as a multi-role fighter with air superiority capabilities, including ground attack, diverse sensor systems, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, drone network control, and hypersonic guided munitions.
Perhaps not many are aware, but behind the flood of electric vehicle (EV) brands from China, the world is now also welcoming the arrival of a new EV brand from Turkiye, namely Togg.
Togg, or its full name Türkiye’nin Otomobili Girişim Grubu (the Turkish Automobile Joint Venture Group), recently unveiled the T10F electric sedan at CES 2024, which is set to be marketed in Europe next year.
It is a fastback sedan in the C segment, where Togg describes this model as a connected smart device, not just a car. Based on a brief reference on the official website, this Togg T10F can be equipped with a single electric motor or dual electric motors.
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, thanks to the powerful 218 PS electric motor and 350 Nm of torque.
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version is even faster, going from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with two more powerful electric motors (435 PS/700 Nm).
For full charging, the battery pack, whose capacity is not disclosed, can allow a range of 530 km (AWD) or up to 600 km (RWD version). The T10F supports rapid DC charging up to 180 kW, and charging from 20 to 80 percent can be completed in 28 minutes.
Togg also revealed the interior layout of this electric sedan, featuring a 12.3-inch cluster screen, a 29-inch infotainment screen, and a third 8-inch screen for HVAC control. Other features include a 500-liter cargo space, a heated steering wheel, and wireless smart device charging.
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