News / Economy

Iran Khodro targets Africa with Oman plant

Tuesday, 26 May 2015 5:47 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 27 May 2015 4:06 AM ]

A worker assembles Iranian new car called Runna at Iran Khodro in Tehran.

Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) is weighing to set up a production line in Oman, targeting a market which stretches deep into Africa, the leading regional vehicle manufacturer’s CEO Hashem Yekke-Zare has said.

Oman has made a request for Iran Khodro to produce cars in the Arab country and the carmaker has welcomed that, ISNA reported.

The proposal was made during Yekke-Zare’s meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Oman Investment Fund Hassan Ahmed al-Nabhani in Tehran, it added.

“If the plan proves to be economically viable and necessary investment is made, Iran Khodro would like to establish a production site in Oman and supply regional markets,” he said.

The plan is for semi-knocked-down (SKD) production of 20,000 cars a year, with 5,000 units intended for Oman and the remaining 15,000 for neighboring markets in Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and elsewhere, Yekke-Zare said.

“Iran Khodro would provide all engineering services and technology and instead expect financing by Oman,” he said.

Deputy head of Iran Khodro for exports Ali Elmi said the plan needed $100 million of investment.

The automaker, the Middle East’s biggest vehicle manufacture, is already producing 15,000 cars per year in Iraq.

Automotive industry is the second most active in Iran after oil and gas. The country has developed its domestic car industry for five decades.

It produced 1.6 million vehicles in 2011, about half of them by Iran Khodro, before sanctions were intensified by the West.

The company has been producing French branded cars, with the Samand sedan having a ubiquitous presence not only on the streets in Iran but those in Iraq, Syria and Azerbaijan.