An official from Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that both Turkey and the United States had a sound will to boost commercial ties between them, Anadolu News Agency reported. Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Selim Yenel, who is currently in Washington, D.C. for the 6th meeting of the U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission (EPC), attended a reception hosted by American-Turkish Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Yenel said that Turkey and the United States had good relations in the areas of politics and military, stating that the two countries also made a strategic decision to boost relations in the area of commerce.

Turkish carmaker Karsan, one of three finalists in the city's "Taxi of Tomorrow" competition, plans to partner with an American automaker to build the powertrain for the vehicle that it hopes will be the next New York City cab, a source familiar with the company's plans says. The competition to custom-build an iconic taxi to replace the various models on the road today is coming into the home stretch, and Karsan hopes that a partnership with an American automaker like General Motors or Chrysler could allay concerns that it lacks U.S. manufacturing experience.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission expects to announce a winner soon. Commissioner David Yassky has said that if none of the models measure up, the city could decide to postpone awarding the exclusive 10-year contract.

According to CEO Nuri Otay of Ford’s Turkish unit, the plant is aiming towards a 50% sales increase in the United States for 2011. The Turkey unit is one of the finalists in the competition to supply New York taxis. Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS is already commercializing the Transit Connect van for use as service vehicles in cities like Boston, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles, according to Otay. He added that the demand for the Transit Connect van will increase in 2011. The car is being produced at a plant located in Kocaeli, Turkey.