Iran Khodro to Resume Manufacturing in in Syria and Lebanon

With the conflict cooling in Syria and the withdrawal of anti-government forces from main cities, the Iranian auto manufacturer, Iran Khodro has announced plans to resume manufacturing operations in Syria and Lebanon.

The company’s Deputy CEO for Export, Saeed Tafazzoli said that Iran Khodro had recently exported about 100 vehicles to Syria and has finalized plans with its Syrian collaborator for resumption of manufacturing at their joint factory near Damascus. He added that according to the agreement, IKCO would stop producing the Samand model and instead focus on new models like the Runna, Soren and Dena.

The factory in Syriaa would be involved with the production and supply of components for 48 units of Dena, 24 units of Soren and 24 units of Runna.

Before the Syrian conflict led to the disruption of Iran Khodro’s operations in Syria, the company had its largest overseas manufacturing facility in Syria. The Siamco plant there was involved in the large scale production of a new model named “Sham”.

With a free trade agreement in place between Iran and Syria, IKCO will have a competitive advantage over locally based car manufacturers and IKCO is on track to export 600 vehicles to Syria by the end of the current Iranian calendar year.

IKCO is also planning an expansion into the Lebanese automotive market and recently Iran signed a memorandum of understanding with Lebanon. IKCO is all set to export about 500 vehicles including Dena, Runna, Soren and Arisan to Lebanon.