Tofas Q1 net profit 118.3 mln lira, exceeds f'cast

ISTANBUL, April 30 (Reuters) - Turkish automaker Tofas
(TOASO.IS) posted first-quarter net profit of 118.3 million lira
($79.66 million), more than three times higher than the previous
year, as its markets recovered from last year's sharp decline.

Revenues for the period were 78 percent higher on the year
at 1.55 billion lira, according to figures published late on
Thursday.

According to the average forecast in the survey of eight
analysts, net profit was seen at 72 million lira and sales were
forecast at 1.4 billion lira.

Turkey's automotive sector, the heart of its export
industry, was hit by the sharp slowdown in key export markets in
Europe and also weak domestic demand last year.

Net profit had shrunk 60 percent in the first quarter of
2009, when sales were down a third.

The launch of a new Doblo model and an increase in exports
due to the end of destocking in Europe are expected to have
boosted the automobile manufacturer.

Italian automaker Fiat (FIA.MI) and Koc Holding (KCHOL.IS),
Turkey's biggest conglomerate, each own 38 percent of Tofas,
whose manufacturing is located in the city of Bursa.

Shares in Tofas quadrupled in 2009, sharply outperforming a
97 percent rise in the main Istanbul share index.
(Reporting by Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)