As Chinese automotive brands enter the EU and Turkish markets, they are increasingly focusing on localizing their production. Among these brands is SWM Motor, operating under the umbrella of Shineray Group—one of China’s leading automotive manufacturers—and represented in Turkey by ATMO Group. Emphasizing the strong interest in the brand in Turkey, ATMO Group CEO Anton Chernov stated, “As ATMO Group, we are eager to invest and develop more projects in Turkey. Our number of employees in Turkey has doubled compared to last year, our revenue continues to grow, and we have a long-term development plan. We are currently working on a production facility with an annual capacity of over 50,000 vehicles. This plant is expected not only to meet the needs of the Turkish market but also to focus on exports to Balkan countries and other EU markets. We began discussions with the Ministry of Industry months ago and are continuing our talks with the Ministry of Trade and the Presidency Investment Office. We are in active communication with strong local partners for our new projects. However, the final decision regarding the investment project will depend on government-supported measures.”
SWM Motor, originally founded in Italy in 1971 and acquired by Shineray Holding in 2014, officially entered the Turkish market at the end of 2023. It has since been positioned as a central pillar in the company’s global growth strategy. Represented by ATMO Group—an experienced automotive group with a strong international presence—SWM has rapidly taken steps to expand through production initiatives. “We plan to implement a phased development of assembly at the facility,” said ATMO Group CEO Anton Chernov. “We aim to produce modern hybrid and electric vehicles as well as a range of light commercial vehicles. We are actively working to finalize the details and hope to receive support and assistance from the government.”
SWM Motor Turkey, which recently entered the Turkish market, continues to expand its product lineup at pace. In addition to existing models such as the G01, G01F, G03F, and the electric light commercial X30L EV, the company added the new D-SUV model G05 to its portfolio as of June. Burak Azmanoğlu, SWM Turkey’s Commercial Director, added: “With recent legal and regulatory updates, we have begun reassessing our current business model to include local production options. Turkey is a high-potential region for long-term business development. We have established a professional and strong dealer network and are continuing to welcome new partners. With our expanding after-sales and spare parts network, we are supporting our customers effectively. Our first batch of vehicles is already on the road, and the feedback from early adopters has been very positive. We’ve done a lot to build the brand image in Turkey, and our goal is to continue offering high-quality SUVs at accessible prices, while steadily investing in the development of our operations here.”
With over 100 employees in Turkey, SWM—represented by ATMO Group—currently serves customers through more than 300 employees across 3S (sales, service, and spare parts) dealerships in 10 provinces. The brand continues to build momentum with an expanding product lineup that resonates with Turkish consumers.
SWM’s design studio is located in Milan, Italy. Its R&D Center, employing over 1,000 people, is based in Chongqing, China. The brand produces over 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 motorcycles annually. With more than 200,000 units sold each year, SWM operates in over 30 countries, and has production facilities in China, Vietnam, Egypt, Ecuador, Russia, and Iran. Facilities are also under construction in Myanmar and Belarus.
About ATMO Group: ATMO Group is an internationally experienced holding company specializing in automotive sales and distribution. With deep roots in the Russian retail and distribution sector and a strong presence in the used car market, ATMO is currently one of the top partners of Chinese automotive manufacturers in Russia. Since 2022, ATMO has been actively developing and investing in the Turkish market, and plans to significantly expand its operations across the Balkans starting in 2024. With expertise in automotive distribution and dealership management, along with its capabilities in IT and e-commerce, the company is focused on delivering excellent customer experience through modern, tech-driven solutions.
