Dünya – German automotive company Mercedes-Benz’s steering systems will be supplied from Türkiye following a takeover deal between the existing manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Automotive and Turkish Hema Endustri.
A long time manufacturer of hydraulic steering systems for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, ThyssenKrupp has agreed to the sale of the manufacturing rights, along with the technology and equipment, to Hema Endustri, as the latter plans to utilize the capability for a local steering wheel manufacturing facility.
The Turkish company will relocate the factory from Dusseldorf, Germany to Türkiye’s Tekirdag province by the end of this year, investing EUR 70 million and creating jobs for 1,000 people in the process. Intending to significantly upgrade the production capacity, Hema Endustri plans to become the third largest maker of steering wheels for heavy commercial vehicles in the world.
Mercedes-Benz currently manufactures heavy trucks and buses in its two plants in Türkiye, exporting to more than 70 countries.
Home to production plants of global brands including Ford, Toyota, Honda, Renault and Fiat, the Turkish automotive industry works not only towards meeting the growing domestic demand but also has become a leading supplier of motor vehicles for regional and global markets. With years of experience in supplying world’s well-known automotive brands, Türkiye’s spare parts industry stands as an important contributor to the country’s automotive exports, totaling USD 19 billion in 2012.