TOFAŞ's 'Bird Series' returns to production: Factory restarts after 15 years
The legendary 'Bird Series' (Kuş Serisi) automobiles from TOFAŞ, produced as a joint venture between Koç and Fiat and boasting a massive user base, particularly in Anatolia, are returning to production in Egypt after a 15-year hiatus. The production of the Şahin, Doğan, and Kartal models will begin at the El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company (NASCO) factory, the first automotive manufacturer in the Middle East.
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The TOFAŞ Bird Series, which began production in 1981 and achieved great success in both the domestic and export markets until 2010, was manufactured in Turkey through a partnership between Koç and Fiat. In Egypt, the El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company (NASCO), the Middle East's first automotive manufacturer, had been producing the Şahin, Doğan, and Kartal models since 1991. This production process, which continued until 2009, is now being reactivated.
PRODUCTION TO RESTART AFTER 15 YEARS
According to a report by Kerim Ülker from Dünya Gazetesi, production is restarting at the Middle East's first factory after 15 years. The factory will initially produce buses. Automobile production is planned to follow at the facility, which is intended to be a competitor to TOGG.
It is possible to see an SUV-style electric vehicle on Nasr's official website. The vehicle, covered with an Egyptian flag, may perhaps become a rival to Togg in the region, as this geography is one of Turkey's most important target markets. The Egyptian administration, which aims to repeat its 1952 industrial revolution, wants to channel recent increases in investment into such value-added products.