ACEA: 'Made in Europe' law puts 37,500-vehicle production in Turkey at risk

The geographical scope of the European Union's negotiated Industry Acceleration Act (IAA) directly threatens automotive production in Turkey. In the draft text agreed between Germany and France last week, the United Kingdom was given a foothold while Turkey was left out of scope.

Maria Linkova-Nijs, Executive Director of Policy and Strategy at the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), emphasized in a statement to Hürriyet.com.tr that existing investments must be protected. Linkova-Nijs stated that the protection of ACEA members' investments in countries such as Turkey and Morocco, who operate "particularly in the heavy commercial vehicle segment," must be taken into account in ongoing negotiations.

Linkova-Nijs added that if Turkey is excluded from scope, "European manufacturers' competitiveness could weaken" and long-term investments could be put at risk, creating uncertainty in future production decisions.

Concrete figures show the scale of the threat: in the heavy commercial vehicle segment alone, ACEA members' production volume in Turkey reached 29,000 trucks and 8,500 buses in 2025.

Cengiz Eroldu, Chairman of the Board of the Automotive Industry Association (OSD), characterized the Germany-France agreement as "a decision without economic justification" and noted that contacts regarding the draft law are continuing.

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat also reiterated in discussions with automotive sector representatives that Turkey, which has a Customs Union relationship, needs to be included in the process as an equal partner.

Linkova-Nijs also emphasized that the law must not "unintentionally penalize" European manufacturers who have made investments in good faith within the existing rules. The agreement does not yet have binding force.