Chrysler in Turkey

Bill Watson’s history of Chrysler in Turkey

The Turkish enterprise began in 1962 when Chrysler established a joint venture with a group Turkish investors. Chrysler International S.A. put up 60% of the capital. Production of Chrysler vehicles in Turkey 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 imported Chrysler passenger car and sport utility vehicles for sale in Turkey and began exporting trucks to Egypt.

After the Daimler takeover, Chrysler decided to sell Chrysler vehicles in Turkey under their own name. The Turkish firm lost the rights to market Chrysler vehicles in Turkey, along with rights to the Dodge name, in 2002; it changed its name to Askam Kamyon Imalat ve Ticaret A.S., and markets trucks under the Fargo and DeSoto names, using the logos styled in Detroit back in the mid-1960s, plus Hino. The truck styling is modern and up to date.

In May, 2003 Ciftciler Group, which controlled 30% of the firm, purchased the stock of the other two stockholders, Tatko and Rusensad, and the Askam firm became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ciftciler Group. The firm continues to sell trucks badged as Fargos and DeSotos — apparently the last remaining supply of such vehicles.

Additional

Mike Sealey wrote: Turkey's 1972 DeSoto truck line looked like pre-Wagoneer Jeep pickups and wagons, though the 4wd models were called "Power Wagon" just like back home, and they had Slant Sixes.

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 to them. 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. It is really hard to find old car parts for anything other than Chevy/Pontiac.

In 2002, Chrysler marketed the Crossfire, PT Cruiser, Sebring convertible and sedan, 300C and Grand Voyager, along with the Jeep lineup.