Volkswagen delays plan on new plant in Turkey over incursion

Volkswagen has decided to delay a final decision on a 1.3 billion-euro ($1.4 billion) car plant investment in Turkey, the first sign of the economic fallout from Ankara’s military operation in Syria.

The German car group Volkswagen announced Tuesday that it has suspended its decision on the construction of a new factory in Turkey, saying "concerned" after the start of the Turkish offensive in Syria.

"The decision on the new factory was rejected by the board," said a spokesman for the manufacturer. "We are watching the situation closely and see the current developments with concern," he added.

The group had decided "in recent months" to install in Turkey its new production site in Eastern Europe, and not in Romania or Bulgaria, according to the daily Handelsblatt.