TEHRAN (MNA) -- Managing director of Iran Khodro, Manuchehr Manteqi said that Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) would produce one million cars within the next ten years, some 15 to 20% of which would be exported.
Manteqi told a press briefing that his company aims to expand its exports of products and production lines to other countries such as Syria.
Referring to the merger of Iranian auto manufacturing companies he stated that prominent domestic auto manufacturing companies cooperate in the form of platforms. For example, in L90 platform, Iran Khodro and SAIPA will produce the X90 passenger car. Referring to Iran's national car, Samand, the official noted that at present four models of the car are being manufactured in the plant. He also commented that the company is planning to produce eight types of this popular passenger car including Samand P2, planned to his the market in 2006. IKCO managing director asserted that Samand P2, is to meet the world's top safety and environmental standards. "IKCO is in attempt to cooperate with well-known auto manufacturing companies whereupon trying to bridge its technological gap with world auto industry." In another development, Manteqi told the press that Iran Khodro would manufacture "from now on, cars that will meet requirements of European safety and environmental standards."
The official stated that Iran Khodro would launch Peugeot Aryan 206 from 2005. "This new model can meet our domestic and exports demands," he said.
The French company Renault is to produce Logan, a budget compact family saloon, here as part of a joint venture between Renault Pars, the car giant's Iranian concern, and the Automotive Industry Development Company, a grouping of Iran's two main state-controlled carmakers Saipa and Iran Khodro.
Annual production, beginning in 2006, is expected to start at 300,000 units but could eventually rise to 500,000.
Iran has seen a sharp growth in demand for new cars in recent years. In 2003, market demand amounted to 700,000 units.
The L-90 is also tipped as a primary successor to the Paykan, Iran's ubiquitous national car. It is a gas-guzzling descendent of Britain's long-forgotten Hillman Hunter, which sold Iran its production line in the late 1960s.
The Paykan, produced by Iran Khodro and with about as much charm as an East German Trabant, is due to cease rolling off the production line in 2005.
© Tehran Times 2004
