Iran-Khodro Company (IKC), the Middle East’s largest automaker, plans to export 50 percent of its products by 2016.
Addressing sales managers of Iran Khodro Industrial Group, the company’s managing director stated that the gathering was aimed at increasing the company’s exports and profitability.
Given that Iran Khodro plays a key role in CNG-powered engine production and design in the world, Manouchehr Manteqi noted that Iran Khodro has decided to export more CNG-powered engines mainly to Islamic countries.
“Some $60 million worth of cars were exported in 2007,“ he said, adding that the figure would rise to $200 million in 2010.
Also addressing the audience, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexander Sadovnikov referred to the export of national Iranian automobile Samand to Russia. He put the volume of Tehran-Moscow transactions at $3.2 billion in 2007. “Iran Khodro has sold 10,000 Samand vehicles in Russia since March 2006,“ the ambassador added.
He stated that Samand has gained popularity among Russians due to the excellent after-sales services which include a three-year warranty by Iran Khodro.
Meanwhile, Iran Khodro Industrial Group’s sales manager in Turkey said that Samand EL car would hit the Turkish market.
Shakor Sesker recalled that last year Iran Khodro appeared on the Turkish market with Samand LX sedan that was highly welcomed by customers.
“Up to now, Iran Khodro has sold 1,600 vehicles in Turkey,“ said the official, adding the figure is beyond the target.
According to the sales manager, Samand EL, due to the demand in the Turkish market and lower price in comparison with that of Samand LX, will be sold easily.
Iran Khodro has 21 sales offices in Turkey and plans to increase them to 50. According to a fax sent to Iran Daily, Iran Khodro Company’s product, Samand has been widely welcomed by people in different cities of Turkey.
Iran Khodro exports the country’s first national vehicle, Samand, to a number of countries, including Syria, Tajikistan and Turkey. The company has manufactured 2.8 million vehicles in the past six years.
Iran Khodro’s product design chief says three new models of Samand sedan will also be marketed in the second half of the year to March. One of the new models will have quality enhancements to over 50 separate parts and an improved exterior, said deputy manager of Iran Khodro for product design and development affairs, Mohammad Kamjoo. However, the most significant development in the announcement is the introduction of the first model in the Samand series with an automatic clutch. Iran Khodro says the design and testing phase of the automatic vehicle has ended and that preparations for the car’s mass production are now underway.
The vehicle is expected to hit the market by the end of the summer. The third new Samand model to hit the market later this year will have a diesel engine