Chrysler in Turkey
In 1962, Chrysler established a joint venture with a group of Turkish investors, putting up 60% of the capital in the new company, Chrysler Sanaya A.S. Turkish production of Chrysler trucks began in 1964.
In 1978 Chrysler sold its interest to the Turkish investors Tatko, Ciftciler, and Rusensad. and the firm, renamed Chrysler Kamyon Imalat ve Ticaret A.S., continued to build Dodge, Fargo and DeSoto trucks; they also made Hino (part-owned by Toyota) trucks for the Turkish market in 1991. The firm, now named Chrysler Kamyon Imalat ve Ticaret A.S., imported Chrysler passenger car and sport utility vehicles for sale in Turkey and began exporting trucks to Egypt. Chrysler continued to provide components and technical assistance.
After the Daimler takeover, Chrysler restarted the sale of cars in Turkey under their own name, taking the Turkish firm’s rights to market Chrysler vehicles in Turkey, along with rights to the Dodge name, in 2002. The local group changed its name to Askam Kamyon Imalat ve Ticaret A.S., and sold trucks under the Fargo and DeSoto (as well as Hino) names; meanwhile, Chrysler sold the Crossfire, PT Cruiser, Sebring convertible and sedan, 300C and Grand Voyager, and the full Jeep lineup.
In 2003, 30%-owner Ciftciler Group purchased the stock of the other two stockholders, Tatko and Rusensad. The firm continues to sell trucks badged as Fargos and DeSotos. The truck styling is modern and up to date, and the trucks themselves have a variety of sources, including Hino, Daewoo, and LDV.
Chrysler, Dodge, and Fargo cars and trucks in Turkey
According to Ozcan AKENGIN, there are many 1950s-1960s American vehicles in the big cities, but few elsewhere. Adana has many American cars because American officers tend to leave them behind on their way back home, through the air base. There are little garages, spread all over Istanbul, specializing in American car locating and selling. People running these shops are called "Americaners." Most of these people, car owner or seller, have little technical and historical knowledge about the cars. There are some serious people running this business also but they are asking very high prices and they are serving the rich elite, not the average enthusiast.
There aren't many sources if you need parts. In Istanbul you either go to Taksim square where most American aftermarket stores are located, or go to two junkyards — collections of small garages dismantling what is available. There are two or four garages specializing in American cars. There are also some industrial complexes built for car rebuilders and garages; some specialize in American cars. I think that the situation is the same for other big cities.