Turkey’s aftermarket companies came together at the year-end meeting held by Automotive Aftermarket Promotion Association (OYPG). The future of economy and sector was laid on the table in the host of GEDIK, one of the foremost investment firms of Turkey. HESS Gruppe CEO Philipp Hess was the guest from abroad of the organization. Mesut Urgancilar, Chairman of the Board of OYPG, in the opening speech of the organization has shared his findings of the Automotive Aftermarket have been recorded from past to date. Highlighting the Automotive Aftermarket had a structure would not be affected from general economic trends; Urgancilar pointed out the foreign direct investors, which had been star almost in every sector, nevertheless they had not yet discovered the distributors in the Automotive Aftermarket in Turkey. Urgancilar continued, “I do not know whether it is an advantage or disadvantage. Beyond all of these questions there is a reality that we should accept the automotive aftermarket players gained high profits in high inflation economy periods and evaluated investment opportunities in various sectors. As for the years after 2001-2002, a distinctive period has begun in the sector. The investments that were made in shock-absorbers, rods, ball joints, engine components, in other words in the components, which were piled up on shelves, left behind. As we hope, investments would gather under service and maintenance items rather than products, but much radical changes did not happen. I wonder if our sector is lucky due to displaying a development out of the general standards in the world or are we unlucky, I think we will experience it altogether.” Urgancilar highlighted OYPG would continue to make breakthroughs in the sector, adding that young generation who is the ambitious, interested and respectful to their business have a great effect in the current situation which have been achieved in the sector.
OYPG increased its effectiveness
Rifat Perahya, Secretary General and member of OYPG, indicated the association established in 1995 with 11
members, today they represent the sector with 66 firms. “Our basic mission is to gather the independent companies that act in the automotive aftermarket and trade components under a single roof. As for our vision is to have a right to say in both the automotive sector and official bodies by adding the producer and distributor firms in the aftermarket into our structure.”
“2016 will be the year of separations”
Alp Tekince, Deputy Director General of Gedik Yatırım, said story of the year 2016 would be determined by separations of the USA & the UK and Euro Region & Japan. As for Turkey, which has been on a macroeconomic-junction, would be subjected to test in 2016. “It is time to make preference for Turkey. Will it be high fluctuated growth, or stabilized but low growth rate? We will see altogether. Turkey’s economy has shifted to a low, but a stabilized growth model in recent years, in 2016 growth can be set by increasing of the domestic consumption along with some regulations of the banks’ credits. In addition to this, we expect activity in retails, white goods, automotive and partially in housing sector because of rise in minimum wages and pensions. Also moderate growth in loans in the Euro zone since July 2015 onwards might let our exports rise to the EU. In terms of inflation, we can say food will continue to be one of the most important items. The Russian crisis can ensure temporary effect in food sector, but the important thing is businesses of Food Committee,” he added. “We target to be accessible for investors every time” Can Pamir, Deputy Director General Responsible for Marketing, said markets have involved being quick, “We have focused on product diversity and technology”. He noted they had been always accessible in terms of investors and they had promoted products to meet different needs. Philipp Hess, CEO of HESS Gruppe, said they had been serving since 1929 onwards in passenger car components with a powerful portfolio in the automotive aftermarket.