Iran Khodro to export 4,000 cars to Afghanistan

Tehran, Aug 3, IRNA - Iran-Khodro Auto Manufacturing Company, the Middle East's largest automaker, has decided to export 4,000 cars to Afghanistan by 2009.

Announcing this on Saturday, the company's export director for Asia
and Pacific region noted that the autos include Samand LX, Samand,
Peugeot 405 and Peugeot 206.

"So far, some 100 cars have been exported to Afghanistan,"
Mohammad-Hossein Yazdi said, adding over 1,800 vehicles will be
exported in near future.

"As per the company's planning, some 20 percent of the Iran Khodro's
production will be allocated to Asia and Pacific region," he said.

Yazdi underlined that the company is more active in such countries as
Turkey and Afghanistan among the Asia and Pacific region, adding
negotiations are underway with other countries of the region in this
respect.

Given that Samand has gained popularity among Turkish people, he added
the company has signed a contract with Turkey to export 3,000 Samand
LX and Samand Soren to the neighboring country.

Meanwhile, the company managing director noted that the company has
decided to export 50 percent of its total products by 2016.

"Iran Khodro has decided to export more CNG-powered engines mainly to
Muslim countries," Manouchehr Manteqi said.

"Some dlrs 60 million worth of cars was exported in 2007," he said,
adding that the figure would increase to dlrs 200 million by 2010.

The company has manufactured 2,800,000 vehicles in the past six years.