IKCO to talk up Runna production

Iran and the Middle-East's largest carmaker, Iran-Khodro Company (IKCO), announced that it aims to boost the production of its second self-developed sedan, Runna. Hamidreza Taghavinejad, IKCO strategy and planning deputy CEO said, "In the first five months of this Iranian calendar year started March 21, Runna made only eight percent of IKCO's production portfolio and the wide acceptance of Runna by the markets has motivated the company to increase its production." Thirty five present of IKCO sales portfolio belonged to Runna last month that placed it atop IKCO's best sellers in that month. Considering the company's plan to increase the production of Runna, it would be one of IKCO's main and strategic products in near future. During the said period, IKCO exported 40 Runnas to Ukraine and Kazakhstan for the first time. IKCO plans to produce Runna in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Syria, Senegal and Venezuela as well as Iran's domestic production plants. The company intends to export the car to the Middle East and West of Asia, Russia and CIS region countries, West and North Africa and South America. This sedan is going to be powered by TU5 and EF7 engines that meet Euro IV standard requirements. The car would be available with diesel engines later on. IKCO Runna enjoys front seat airbags and ABS and meets the required safety standards for driver and passengers, covering the European pedestrian impact safety standard as long as the standard has been instituted and introduced in Europe. The car can also gain three star rating by Euro NCAP. Besides the Iranian market, the Middle East, Russia, Turkey, Africa and South American countries have been targeted by IKCO Runna. The strategy and planning deputy CEO finally announced a two percent increase in IKCO's production last month, and pointed out that in the first five months of this year, Peugeot Pars, Bardo pickup and Runna have increased sales in comparison with the same period last year.