MAN Truck & Bus has shifted production of NEOPLAN in its structure to Turkey plant in Ankara where currently local; travel, tourism and service buses as well as NEOPLAN buses are manufactured
The premium brand of the bus world, NEOPLAN is going to be produced only at MAN’s Turkey plant, in Ankara. Together with assuming all models of NEOPLAN, the production, employment, turnover, exports figures of MAN Turkey would expand in outstanding size, according to the statement
MAN’s Neoplan brand of buses under the company’s Truck & Bus division will be just produced at the Turkey’s plant of the company. The German automotive manufacturer, which specializes in heavy vehicles, has commissioned a new production line at its Ankara plant for Cityliner, Jetliner, and the upcoming Skyliner models, making Turkey its export hub for Neoplan brand buses
Speaking at the roll-off ceremony, Fikri Isik, Turkish Minister of Science, Industry, and Technology, said; “MAN’s selection of Turkey to relocate its bus production would be an important addition to the country’s exports and employment figures, while boosting quality in the local supply industry.” “Turkey’s production of motor vehicles has reached 1.2 million units in 2014, up from 357,000 in 2002 while automotive exports hit $18.1 billion up from $3.3 billion in the given period,” Isik said, adding that the government’s aim was to increase local research and development in the automotive industry, as well as manufacturing capabilities.
“Recent investments in quality and efficiency have turned the MAN Turkey plant into an exemplary facility in the company’s network. The production of premium models such as the Cityliner, Jetliner, and Skyliner at the Ankara plant ensures the Neoplan buses’ future in the market,” Dr. Carsten Intra, Executive Board Member for Production & Logistic of MAN Truck & Bus AG, noting that the company was planning to add design operations to its Turkish unit.
In his speech Munir Yavuz, Managing Director of MAN Turkey, said, “Having preferred Turkey plant of the company in Ankara for production of NEOPLAN is source of proud not only for MAN Turkey and its staff, also for all of Turkish automotive sector and its labor force.” He added they had also prepared for the projects which would follow this beginning project.
MAN Turkey commenced operations in 1966 as MAN’s first production plant outside Germany. The Turkish division currently exports to 41 countries. The company’s plant in Ankara’s Akyurt district is manufacturing buses and coaches at a rate of 2,000 vehicles per year while employing 1,800 people. The history of MAN in Turkey dates back to the end of the Nineteenth Century. As long ago as in 1874 MAN exported trains and freight cars to Turkey.
MAN Turkey A.S. was the first MAN production plant outside of Germany and commenced operations in 1966. Today, MAN Turkey is MAN’s largest bus production plant. In 2015 MAN Turkey can look back over a 49-year history of success in the Turkish automotive industry. At its plant in Ankara, Akyurt, the company produces city buses, coaches as well as intercity coaches of the MAN and NEOPLAN brands on a site with a total area of 317,000 m2 and is MAN´s biggest bus production center.
“The MAN plant in Turkey is the competence centre for high-floor and low-floor buses. We achieve ultimate quality standards and delivery reliability with the MAN MNPS Production Management System. We are working continuously on further improvement to quality and customer orientation with our young and dynamic organisation.”