Iran Khodro:
IKCO or Iran Khodro Company (or Iran Khodro Industrial Group) is the largest autoproducer of Iran. Founded in 1962 by two brothers, Ahmad and Mahmoud Khayami, the company's old name was Iran National.
[edit] History
Iran Khodro produces Iran's first national car, the Samand, which is based on the Peugeot 405 platform. The firm has a long-term relationship with PSA Peugeot Citroën, and assembles a number of Peugeot models under licence from the French firm. It also makes trucks and buses under license from Mercedes-Benz.
For more than 3 decades, Iran Khodro produced the Paykan (a version developed by Rootes Group's Hillman Hunter). Paykan's production was discontinued in 2005, almost thirty years after the end of Hillman Hunter production in Britain. A pick-up version is still in production. [1]
In a joint-venture with Daimler AG, Iran Khodro is soon to start production of sophisticated 900-class Mercedes-Benz engines; Daimler stresses that the company will export Iran-made engines to Germany. [1] [2]
[edit] Current passenger car range
- Samand; the "Iranian national car". Codenamed X7 during development, and based on the 405 platform.
- Samand LX; a modified version of the basic Samand with better equipment and better outlook
- Samand Sarir; a longer bodied Samand with enhanced equipment. (unveiled in 2006)
- Samand Soren a new model of Samand (unveiled in 2008)
- Peugeot 206; a saloon version of the 206, the Peugeot 206 SD has also been recently co-developed with Peugeot.
- Peugeot 405; available in saloon trims GLi and GLX and estate trim GLX.
- Peugeot Pars; initially called the Peugeot Persia. Changes include a redesigned front and modernised rear.
- Peugeot RD; chassis and drivetrain are similar to the older Paykan but the outer body shell and appearance resemble a 405.
- Peugeot 407; in the first step it will be completely imported.
- Suzuki Grand Vitara;
- Dacia Logan; Both IKCO and SAIPA produce the car as "Tondar90" (-->renamed in Iran)
- Peugeot ROA; modified version of Peugeot RD.
- Mercedes Benz E-class[2]
[edit] Market
Carmakers have come to realise the importance of external markets and are seeking export opportunities both for CBUs and CKD kits supplied to assembly lines, mostly for Iran Khodro’s Samand model, which is assembled from at least 80% Iranian-made parts. The opening of the country’s largest car assembly plant in Khorassan in July 2008 will increase automotive capacity with the ability to turn out 100,000 vehicles per annum by end- 2008/09, However, it will not necessarily increase production. Export opportunities are restricted to relatively low volumes. Nevertheless, they should help push up output to 1.13mn units by 2012.[3]
[edit] Future passenger cars
In July 2008 Iran Khodro's CEO Manouchehr Manteqi announced the Iranian auto giant's goal of designing and mass producing more national cars, in the upcoming years.
Models currently under development:
- second national car codenamed X12
- popular car for Islamic countries
- new Soren with a new engine (EF7)
- two sedans currently under joint development with French Auto-maker Peugeot
These models are said to be marketed by 2009-2010.
In October 2008 IKCO announced that it would start producing a car specially designed for women, though no date was given for its availability.[4]
In 2010 Iran Khodro is going to unveil and produce:
- a new van
- a new model of Samand
In 2011/2012 IKCO is going to unveil and produce:
- a second new van (heavy)
- a new model of Samand with IKCO's first Diesel-engine
- Peugeot 405 with IKCO's first Diesel-engine
- IKCO's first Lux-Class car
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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