Renault to manufacture aluminium engine blocks at its Turkey plant; first of its kind in Europe

Turkish automaker Oyak Renault will manufacture aluminium engine blocks at its plant, for the first time in Turkey, making it the only hybrid engine production facility in Europe. This was announced by the country's industry and technology minister Mustafa Varank on Oct. 23 at the factory's test production site in Bursa. The minister, in his speech said that the engines will be exported to China, Spain, and the U.K.

He noted the latest technology machines had been installed in a 10,500 square meter facility for manufacturing the engine blocks. Renault has also hired more than 100 qualified engineers and operators to run the manufacturing operations.

Antoine Aoun, director-general of Oyak Renault Turkey, said on the occasion: "We have completed our production center in a very short time as promised and we came to the final stage to start mass production in 2020."

The minister added that despite facing all kinds of diplomatic and economic challenges the Turkish economy is now on track. He said that the plant will be driving domestic aluminium demand as the aluminium for the engine blocks will be supplied from domestic manufacturers. The plant aims to utilize domestic resources in the most efficient way.

"The contribution of this facility in reducing the current account deficit, providing employment and improving exports in truly commendable," he said.

The minister said that Turkey expects Renault to produce hybrid vehicles here in the country and export them to other countries.

Renault, one of Turkey’s leading carmakers, manufactured 30,729 cars in September, which accounted for 34 per cent of the total output of the domestic automotive industry. According to data from the Automotive Manufacturers’ Association (OSD), the company produced 243,302 cars in the first nine months of the 2019.