Invest News DetailHurriyet - The first Turkish-designed and manufactured motor vehicle to be showcased at the global automotive industry’s one of the most important trade shows, Karsan V1, gathered large crowds of visitors inquiring about the vehicle and received offers for production. “Karsan V1, with its unique characteristics, is able to accommodate people with disabilities with ease,” Karsan Chairman of the Executive Board, Inan Kirac, told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show, describing the special attention paid to the vehicle by the automotive industry. “Automotive producers are aware of the potential that this type of vehicle carries. V1 is designed with disabled people in mind and when you add the overweight, elderly and otherwise mobility-impaired people, there is a market of around 1.5 billion people. V1 is well-suited for such individuals,” said Karsan executive, adding that their business model involves using engines manufactured in respective countries where the V1 would be sold and depend on local manufacturers’ service and maintenance facilities. “We even got an offer from a Greek businessman for the production of the vehicle in Greece,” Kirac remarked. Greece is deeply mired in a debt crisis and relies on EU bailouts to keep its economy going. Backing the V1 project, the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Türkiye (ISPAT) President Ilker Ayci said that the agency would assist Karsan in international partnerships and cooperation opportunities. “The project will receive every support on a governmental level. Zafer Caglayan’s visit to Geneva proves this,” he added, referring to the Minister of Economy’s visit to the booths of Turkish automotive companies in the trade show. Karsan plans to begin the serial production of the V1 by 2014.