Karsan Appoints Utku Can Ayyarkın as CEO Amid Strategic Shift

Karsan continues its strategic transformation in the automotive sector under new leadership.

The Pivot Point: Utku Can Ayyarkın Takes the Helm as CEO

Utku Can Ayyarkın, serving as CEO of Kıraça Holding Group and a board member of Karsan, has been appointed as Karsan's CEO and Executive Board Member. With 22 years of logistics experience, Ayyarkın brings a field‑to‑executive perspective that will steer the company’s growth agenda.

Legacy of Okan Baş: A Decade of Global Mobility

Okan Baş led Karsan for 10 years, guiding its evolution into a global mobility brand and boosting its presence in electric and autonomous public transport solutions across international markets.

Kıraça Holding’s Strategic Play

■Kıraça Holding secures direct representation on Karsan’s board to reinforce automotive‑logistics synergies.

■The CEO appointment aims to deepen horizontal integration and cross‑functional collaboration within the group.

■The company intends to leverage its 60‑year legacy to drive sustainable growth and global expansion.

Forward Look: Vision for Electric and Autonomous Mobility

■Karsan commits to ramping up R&D investments in electric and autonomous vehicle segments.

■International brand visibility is set to strengthen under the new leadership.

■Sustainable growth targets will be underpinned by eco‑friendly solutions across both local and global supply chains.

Dr. Aslıhan Demir: Karsan’s leadership reshuffle aligns with its long‑term strategic transformation roadmap. The new CEO’s logistics background offers a vital edge in supply‑chain efficiency and operational excellence. This move should boost Karsan’s competitive stance in the electric and autonomous vehicle arena while maximizing group‑wide synergies for Kıraça Holding. Investors, particularly those focused on sustainable mobility funds, are likely to increase exposure to Karsan’s equity.