Vehicle industry production in Turkey dates back to the mid-1950s and the industry gained momentum in the early 1960s. After manufacturing some prototype vehicles during the 1950s, the first vehicle assembly company was established in 1954 (Türk Willys Overland Ltd.) for jeep manufacturing. By 1955 trucks and by 1963 buses were being assembled in Turkey. Then passenger car assembly companies, namely TOFAŞ (FIAT), OYAK (RENAULT) and OTOSAN (FORD) started operations in the succeeding three years