Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.Ş. (Ford Automotive Industry) is an automotive manufacturing company based in Türkiye that is equally owned by Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding. It was established in its current form in 1977, with original relations dating back to 1928. It currently operates five facilities throughout the country, and is headquartered in Gölcük, with a second location in İnönü. History The collaboration began in 1928, when Vehbi Koç was assigned as a Ford dealer in Ankara. The following year, the Turkish national assembly granted Ford the right to install a local assembly plant in a free zone located in Tophane, Istanbul's port area. Coinciding with great depression of 1929, limited numbers of Ford Model A and Ford Model B vehicles were assembled in Tophane Plant of Ford Motor Company Exports Inc. until 1934, when vehicle assembly activities were suspended. In 1959, the foundation of the Otosan (Otomotiv Sanayii/Automotive Industry) factory was held in Istanbul, and in 1960 the Ford Consul was the first model to be produced at the plant, followed by the Thames and the Thames Trader van. In 1965, the D1210 truck was added to production, and in 1966, the Anadol, the first mass-production passenger vehicle developed in Turkey. In 1967, the Ford Transit also began production and in 1973, the Anadol STC-16, the first sports car developed in Turkey. In 1977, the company signed a license agreement with Ford and the company's name was changed to Ford Otosan. In 1979, took place the groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory in İnönü, Eskişehir, which began production of the Ford Cargo in 1983. Also that year, Ford increased its share of ownership in the company to 30 percent. In 1985 the Ford Taunus began production at the Istanbul plant, and in 1986 the official opening ceremony was held for the İnönü engine plant. In 1992, the newer Ford Transit was put into production, and in 1993 the Ford Escort replaced the Ford Taunus on the production lines. In 1997, Ford further increased its share in the company to 41 percent, becoming equal partner with Koç Holding in the joint venture. In 1998, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new factory in Gölcük, Kocaeli, that became operational in 2001, replacing the Istanbul facility. It is aimed mainly at commercial vehicle production, and manufactures the Ford Transit and the Ford Transit Connect, both models being marketed worldwide. In