IFC Partners with Karsan to Help Drive Electric Vehicle Production, Exports in Türkiye

• €35 million to boost electric vehicle (EV) production, increase competitiveness
• Will support Türkiye in becoming an EV regional hub while increasing exports and creating jobs

Istanbul, Türkiye, December 25, 2023—IFC is helping a leading automotive manufacturer in Türkiye boost its production of electric vehicles (EVs), strengthen the sector's competitiveness, increase exports and create jobs. IFC's investment will also help bolster Türkiye's transition to net zero.

Karsan manufactures both conventional and electric light commercial vehicles and buses. IFC is providing a €35 million loan to the company, of which €25 million will be used to fund its working capital needs and €10 million to support its acquisition of intellectual property rights and technological know-how around electric buses. Due to its lengthy order-to-delivery periods, the company has higher working capital requirements than passenger car EV companies.

"We are extremely thrilled to enter into a collaboration with IFC that will provide Karsan with an important boost in becoming an important global player in the sphere of sustainable mobility solutions," said Kenan Kaya, Karsan's Chief Financial Officer. "Our partnership with IFC started from the very onset of the process and is finally being crowned with this agreement."

The investment in EVs is part of IFC's efforts to help further develop Türkiye's automotive and manufacturing industries, boosting exports and strengthening the country's position in global value chains. With Türkiye possessing the necessary infrastructure and skills to produce EVs and their components, it has the potential to become a regional EV hub.

It is also aligned with the World Bank's climate strategy for Türkiye, which set the decarbonization of the transport sector as a key pillar of the country's net zero carbon path by 2053, and the Paris Agreement's mitigation and adaptation goals. A full plug-in commercial EV in Europe is expected to reduce emissions by almost 70 percent compared to a similar vehicle powered by diesel.

"Supporting the transition to net zero is the greatest priority of our time," said Wiebke Schloemer, IFC Director for Türkiye and Central Asia. "This project will help enable that in Türkiye, while boosting its nascent EV sector. That will enable Türkiye to not only keep pace with the latest trends in the automotive industry but also help increase exports and unlock other complex industries in the country."

IFC has supported private sector development in Türkiye for more than 50 years, with investments of nearly $11 billion in the last decade alone. Türkiye represents IFC's third-largest country exposure globally, with a committed portfolio of close to $4.9 billion as of November 2023.

About Karsan

The only independent multi-brand vehicle manufacturer in Türkiye, Karsan has been manufacturing commercial vehicles for the world's leading brands and its own brand since its foundation 57 years ago. Since 1981, the company has been producing commercial vehicles, ranging from passenger cars to heavy trucks, minivans, and buses at its factory in Bursa Hasanağa. Karsan manages the entire automotive value chain, from R&D to production, marketing sales and after-sales activities. In addition, Karsan produces and sells a range of fully electric buses, as well as the first driverless bus carrying passengers across Europe and America. As of 2022, Karsan began production of Megane Sedan automobiles for the Renault brand. Karsan also provides industrial services at its factory located in the Organized Industrial Zone. Continuing its efforts to develop innovative products and services "from idea to market" in the public transportation segment, Karsan's primary aim is to strengthen its main manufacturer/OEM business line.

For more information, please: visit www.karsan.com

About IFC

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

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