Turkey is lobbying Brussels to be included in a future “Made in Europe” car label, according to industry figures and European Union officials.
That comes as Turkey has stepped up efforts to compete with China in exporting cars to the EU.
At the end of January, the European Commission is launching consultations on new car-labelling rules that would indicate whether a vehicle is made in the EU or outside it.
“The vast majority of vehicles and components produced in Turkey reach the EU market without barriers,” said Haluk Sayar, president of trade group E-mobility Europe. He added that excluding Turkey from a future definition would disadvantage both sides.
European brands, he said, already plan their production in Turkey “as an integral part of the European supply chain”.
An EC spokesperson told Brussels Signal yesterday there was no specific “Made in the EU” label at this stage.
“What we have proposed are new car labelling measures and in the label itself it will be mentioned whether the car is made in the EU or not,” the spokesperson said. “The definition of ‘Made in the EU’ will be based on criteria that is to be defined.”
Turkey’s push comes as the EU tightens its stance on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and seeks to strengthen its own automotive industry.
Ankara has positioned itself as a competitive alternative manufacturing base, offering proximity to Europe, lower costs and tariff-free access under the EU–Turkey Customs Union.
According to industry figures, Turkey is the EU’s fifth-largest automotive supplier. In 2024, its automotive exports to the bloc reached around €22 billion and millions of vehicles on European roads contain parts made in Turkey.
Sayar said Turkish-made components account for between 40 and 60 per cent of some models sold in the EU, while brands such as Ford, Renault, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and MAN operate large production facilities in the country.
While Turkey runs an overall trade deficit with the EU, the automotive sector generates a surplus of between €8 billion and €10 billion, driven by demand from European manufacturers seeking cost-effective production.
The debate over the “Made in Europe” label is tied to a broader overhaul of EU automotive policy. The EC is planning new rules that would link some incentives — including support for EVs, batteries and corporate fleets — to European content.
Under the proposals, public procurement and support schemes could include minimum European content requirements for batteries, key components and materials such as steel. The aim, according to the EC, is to support low-carbon products while strengthening Europe’s industrial base.
Turkish industry groups fear that if Turkey is not explicitly included in the scope of any future definition, vehicles and components produced there could be excluded from incentive schemes, despite decades of integration with the EU market.
European carmakers have also urged caution. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has warned that introducing local content requirements without clear definitions and timelines could harm competitiveness and disrupt supply chains.
The group said “Made in Europe” policies alone would not be enough to support the industry and called instead for competitive energy prices, faster permitting, skilled labour and targeted incentives.
ACEA has asked the EC to consult closely with industry and carry out a full impact assessment before finalising any legislation. It has recommended gradual implementation, case-by-case approaches and compliance with international trade rules.
Turkey is accelerating its own EV strategy. Its domestic brand Togg launched its first model in 2023 and captured nearly 30 per cent of the domestic EV market.
The company plans to expand into Europe with new models, while the government has introduced multi-billion-euro incentives to attract battery manufacturers and expand charging infrastructure. Turkey aims to build large-scale battery production capacity integrated with renewable energy.
Several Chinese EV makers have also announced or considered production in Turkey, attracted by Customs Union access to the EU market. Uncertainty over the future “made in Europe” label has already shifted some investment to EU member states.
Sayar said including Turkey in any future definition would strengthen the European automotive supply network, support joint EV and battery projects, and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Excluding Turkey, he warned, could raise costs for manufacturers, disrupt supply chains and weaken Europe’s competitiveness in the global EV market.
