Turkey reveals prototype of first indigenous car

KOCAELI, TURKEY - DECEMBER 27: Turkey's first indigenous automobile models are on display during the official opening ceremony of Information Valley and unveiling of Turkey’s indigenous automobile, at Gebze district of northwestern Kocaeli province in Turkey on December 27, 2019. Turkey’s president unveiled Friday the country’s first indigenous automobile prototype -- a move, which he said will realize the country’s long-time dream. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the automobile in the industrial province of Kocaeli, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “Today, we are witnessing a historic day of realizing Turkey's 60-year dream together." Stating that over 100 Turkish engineers worked to realize the project, he said: "We don't buy a license or permission from anyone, we determine all the technical features by ourselves.” Erdogan stressed Turkey will deter all efforts to hinder the production of its own car. “They managed to hinder the production of Devrim [Turkey's first homegrown car] but they will not be able to hinder this automobile," he added. Turkey first attempted to produce its own car in 1961, the Devrim (Revolution), but it never made it past the prototype stage. “Turkey is not only a market for new technologies but has become a country that develops, produces and exports them all over the world," Erdogan said. (Footage by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)