(Tehran) The main Iranian car manufacturer, Iran Khodro, announced on Sunday its desire to re-export for the first time in years its production to the Russian market, also hit by Western sanctions, indicated on Sunday its CEO, Mehdi Khatibi.
Posted at 12:15 p.m.
“We are going to pay particular attention to the Russian market and start exporting to Russia this year,” Mr. Khatibi announced at a presentation ceremony west of Tehran of the Rira, a new crossover car whose production will start next year.
“We had good negotiations with Moscow. The Russian market will be one of our important markets,” he said, adding “to think about partnerships with Russian investors.”
Iran Khodro had already exported vehicles to Russia, notably between 2007 and 2009, before being forced to stop.
In mid-July, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran, where he notably met with his counterpart Ebrahim Raïsi and the Supreme Guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In order to counter Western sanctions – Russia for having invaded Ukraine and Iran for its nuclear program – the two countries have chosen to strengthen their economic cooperation in various strategic areas to benefit from their respective markets and maintain their trade. outside.
Iran Khodro’s vice president for research and development, Kianoush Pourmojib, told AFP that “more than 500,000 vehicles” would be produced this year.
“Our objective within three years is to export 100,000 cars annually”, against less than 20,000 currently, he added, while Iran Khodro exports in particular to Azerbaijan, Iraq or Oman .
According to him, “Russia is the most important market in terms of volume”.