Karsan Aims to Become a Leading European Player with Innovative Mobility Solutions

Karsan, renowned as a technology-driven mobility brand, has announced its ambitious targets for the European market, with the vision of entering the top five players in the region by 2026. In 2025, the company reported an impressive increase of 11% in turnover, reaching 330 million Euros, driven largely by electric vehicle sales which accounted for 220 million Euros of this total. Notably, Karsan achieved a significant 43% rise in its exports, translating to 197 million Euros.

Strategic Growth in Europe

Karsan's CEO, Okan Baş, emphasized the company's intention to sustain its growth trajectory in Europe. The upcoming year will not only see Karsan expanding its operations but also initiating driverless public transportation solutions. The company aims to showcase its leadership in the market with successful models such as the Karsan e-JEST and e-ATAK, which have set the standard in their respective segments.

Turkey, according to Baş, serves as Europe’s production hub for midibuses and buses. Since 2019, Karsan has been responsible for approximately 80% of Turkey’s electric minibus and bus exports to Europe. This strong foundation sets the stage for further expansion, as Karsan seeks to penetrate new markets, especially in Northern Europe where it currently lacks presence, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Germany.

Expanding Electric Fleet and Technology

In 2026, Karsan plans to strengthen its electric vehicle fleet further, aiming for a goal of over 2,800 units, which reflects a growth of more than 30%. The focus will also be placed on research and development in autonomous mobility, with the company introducing the 8-meter Autonomous e-ATAK targeted for Europe and the 6-meter Autonomous e-JEST for the U.S. market. As part of its innovative push, Karsan aims to remove the safety driver from its vehicles, launching fully driverless operations in Stavanger, Norway by Q3 2026.

Further diversifying its product range, Karsan is gearing up to introduce a new electric vehicle by the end of 2026, underlining its commitment to evolving in alignment with technological advancements and market demands.

Looking Ahead

The firm has set high aspirations, aiming to be recognized as a key player across the European market. CEO Okan Baş reiterated the need for Karsan to enhance its organizational structure in new markets to effectively achieve these ambitious goals. In addition, Karsan is committed to bolstering its presence in Spain and Poland, where it made its entrance last year, thereby navigating through challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in these diverse markets.

Karsan's relentless pursuit of innovation in public transportation sets a remarkable example of how technology and sustainability can reshape the future of mobility. As they continue to advance their offerings and broaden their market reach, the company is undeniably on the cusp of becoming an influential figure in the electric vehicle and public transport sectors across Europe and beyond.