Tehran, Iran, May 31
By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:
Iran Khodro (IKCO) said it expects to export 6,000 vehicles to Iraq in the current Iranian calendar year (began on March 21, 2018).
“Currently, Iraq is one of our best markets for export and we plan to export 6,000 cars to the Arab country this year,” Hassan Golchoobian, Iran Khodro’s commercial deputy, said on May 31, IKCO Press reported.
A variety of vehicles, including two Iranian brands Samand and Dena as well as Peugeot cars will be exported to the neighboring country, he added.
Golchoobian said Iran Khoro is seeking to produce automatic cars in the future and ship them to Arab countries, including Oman, in an attempt to reclaim its share in the Middle East.
Iran’s auto industry is the Middle East’s largest but it is based on assembling foreign brands. Iranian automakers now design, manufacture, and export cars. They also manufacture automotive parts and components and sell their products through dealers in Iran and internationally.
The industry has the full state support and a monopoly on the market which, many critics say, has resulted in a laggard sector with no serious efforts to improve quality despite frequent price hikes. It includes levying hefty customs duties on imports in order to protect the domestic auto industry.
The automobile industry is seen as Iran’s biggest non-oil sector, accounting for nearly 10% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Iran Khodro and Saipa companies account for more than 90 percent of the total domestic production in Iran.
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