The Istanbul Auto Show took place from 29 October through 7 November in the 120,000 square meter CNR EXPO Istanbul center. We, as GM Türkiye, were there as a whole team on 28 October. Before the event, my colleagues emphasized that I was lucky to have the chance to attend such a big event just after my third month in the company, and I also believe that I was really lucky to be a part of this family, on the way back to home.
Opel is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Turkey and due to this we were gifted to visit the Auto Show in Istanbul which is organized every two years. I was visiting the Auto Show for the first time in my life. So, before the attending, I caught up with the news about it, and one thing was common: “This year, organizers were promising a better event than ever, with major automakers around the world.”
When I entered the CNR EXPO, I saw that each brand was really well-prepared for this special event with unique shows and presentations. Objectively, our Opel brand was one of the most outstanding and most visited stands of the Auto Show. A good car combines everything: exciting design, state-of-the-art technology and innovative, environmentally friendly ideas. That is what Opel provides to customers and that’s why it was the most visited.
The day was followed by an anniversary dinner. This event was organized to provide an opportunity to meet dealers around Turkey. Having dinner with people who we work with cooperatively but mostly who we do not know (at least for me – my responsibilities do not require to interact with dealers) made me feel that in fact we are a much bigger family and network than I see in the firm. When we look at our motto, “Wir leben Autos”, “Wir” stands for the excitement and affirmative, positive attitude of our colleagues and dealers. We truly lived this feeling in our gala dinner altogether.
The next day the GM Türkiye employees met at a branch organization for an employee meeting. In this branch event, we met with our families as we did at the gala dinner. Poor me, I am not married yet, thus I was away from my fiancé but instead I was with my colleagues and their families. Then those colleagues who have been in the company since its establishment, which means working for two decades, were gifted in the stage.
In this morning meeting, Alain Visser and Andy Dunston gave small presentations which highlighted the strategic importance of our performance for the global company. Their honoring speeches were motivating and their approach towards us was so friendly.
On the way back to home, I was a hundred percent sure that these two days were so important in terms of setting closer relationships with each other as well as becoming a team. As Alain Visser points out: “If you want to build great cars, you’ve got to put your heart and soul into it, along with all the energy that involves.” Those two days energized all of us towards this aim again. By the way, special thanks go to all colleagues involved and performed in this organization.
by: Volkan Yorulmaz
General Motors Turkiye
