Kerem Genç: Middle East And North Africa Are Among The Regions We Are Working Intensively

Are you interested in Africa and Middle Eastern markets mentioned by Iveco Turkey in Superstructure Manufacturers’ Meeting? Do you have any companies you are working with in these regions?

Middle East and North Africa are among the regions where we work intensively. Brands making production in Turkey usually carry out this type of organization for the overseas market. That's why we were curious when Iveco had an invitation to such a meeting. We see that the foreign origin of a trucking firm plans to use Turkey as a base to have a share in the project based in North Africa and the Middle East. I think that with its wide product range and after-sales service network support, it will be a useful structuring at this point.

Apart from your own potential in these markets, do you think that IVECO will create an added opportunity and value for you?

The IVECO brand is strong in Africa and the Middle East, but I think the local conditions in that region will be more decisive. In this process, mostly the superstructure manufacturers do not determine the path to be followed. Usually, the final buyers, dealers, representatives or local manufacturers you are in contact with in that country determine the processes in question. At this point, we are manufacturing superstructures suitable for truck brands and models located at the center of the project. Truck and superstructure are a whole  flesh and nails that are not separated from each other, they do not have benefits on their own, separately. As a superstructure manufacturer, we try to be positioned at equal distance to every truck brand. There is always a potential for each brand, and we strive to provide technical and commercial support at the superstructure at all stages in order to ensure the positive outcome of the project.

“First Determinant Factor Price, Delivery Time and After Sales Service Support”

The first determinant factors for the vehicle manufacturers to provide surplus value to the superstructure manufacturers are price, delivery time and after-sales service support. If truck manufacturers and suppliers can keep stock of products for urgent demands and implement a competitive price, I think they might be a bit more advantageous in terms of preferability by the final buyer.

“It Will Be Necessary to Focus More On Foreign Markets Than Ever Before”

Due to the economic conditions of Turkey, manufacturers turned to overseas markets more. How do you evaluate the future performance in overseas markets? How will this trend continue in the future?

For most manufacturers, an export of 30-40 percent was generally in question. However, in 2019, the domestic sales target of commercial trucks for all brands decreased to 7-9 thousand units. The previous year's value was around 36-38 thousand. When the domestic market contracted so much, superstructure manufacturers started to spend their efforts on foreign markets at a higher level than before. I am not sure if there will be a rapid recovery on the basis of the Internal Market this year. Probably the values ??in the following year may proceed in parallel with 2019, but this should not be forgotten, the domestic market has realized surprising developments even during the worst periods and always has this potential. However, in such fluctuating transition processes, it will be necessary to focus more on foreign markets than ever before in order to overcome these stages with minimal damage.