Erdogan Asks Elon Musk To Consider Turkey for Tesla's Next Factory

18.09.2023 - 17:10

In a surprising turn of events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended an invitation to Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, to consider Turkey as the location for Tesla's seventh factory. The invitation was made during a recent meeting between Erdogan and Musk in New York City, where the two leaders discussed potential collaborations and opportunities. This move not only signifies Turkey's growing prominence as a manufacturing hub but also holds significant implications for Tesla's global expansion strategy. Let's delve into the details of this intriguing development.

Turkey: A Strategic Manufacturing Hub

Turkey has been steadily establishing itself as a key player in the global manufacturing arena, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Over the past decade, manufacturing has become a significant contributor to Turkey's GDP, accounting for around 19% of it by 2022. As part of its 2023 Industry and Technology Strategy, Turkey aims to further boost this figure to 21%, emphasizing support for entrepreneurs, strengthened intellectual property laws, and substantial investments in STEM education and technology startups.

Tesla's Potential Investment in Turkey

The Turkish President's invitation to Elon Musk holds the promise of boosting Turkey's manufacturing sector to new heights. Tesla, known for its electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions, already made a significant entry into the Turkish market with the launch of the Turkish electric car, Togg.

Musk's response to Erdogan's proposal was positive, highlighting that several Turkish suppliers are already collaborating with Tesla. He further emphasized that Turkey is among the leading candidates for the location of Tesla's upcoming factory. This development comes as Tesla is actively exploring new sites for expansion, including a factory in Mexico and potential manufacturing facilities in India.

Collaborations Beyond Manufacturing

Beyond manufacturing, Erdogan and Musk also discussed the potential for collaboration in other high-tech domains. Musk expressed interest in obtaining the necessary licensing to operate Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, in Turkey, a country with a population of 85 million. Additionally, discussions around artificial intelligence and Turkey's space program showcased the wide-ranging opportunities for cooperation between the two visionaries.

Turkey's Success in Defense Technology

During the meeting, Erdogan highlighted Turkey's achievements in the field of defense technology, particularly the production of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These drones have gained international acclaim for their performance and have been used by Ukrainian forces in repelling Russian troops. Musk acknowledged the global interest in Turkish UAVs and recognized their potential significance in future advanced warfare scenarios.

What Lies Ahead

Elon Musk's consideration of Turkey as a potential site for Tesla's next factory reflects the country's growing importance on the global stage, not only as a manufacturing powerhouse but also as a hub for technological innovation. As discussions progress and details unfold, the partnership between Tesla and Turkey could usher in a new era of economic growth and technological collaboration.