Iran's leads car-manufacturer to focus on regional market

Increasing sales in the neighboring countries, entering new markets in Eastern Europe, acquiring a new approach to export portfolio, and product diversification are among IKCO's strategies based on its competitive advantages in automotive markets, Iran-Khodro, the largest carmaker in Iran and the Middle-East announced on Wednesday.Deputy Managing-Director of Iran-Khodro Company (IKCO) for Quality and Product Development Mir Javad Soleimani referred to the markets of Eastern Europe as emerging markets that are suitable for Iranian carmakers' activity. He then pointed to IKCO plans to sell its new cars such as Runna and Dena in Ukraine's market, and added, "During the past two years, IKCO export programs have been reviewed and they resulted in putting more focus on the region and the neighboring countries' markets as well as development of the national brand market share." "For instance, I can refer to Iraq that due to various reasons like accessibility, market needs and similarities of the neighboring cultures has turned into a strategic market for IKCO cars," he added. Soleimani finally underscored that IKCO has upgraded car emission standards to Euro IV in order to be compatible with those of its target markets like Russia and Turkey. During the past two years, IKCO accelerated the activities of its production site in Belarus. A part of Russia and Ukraine's market demand would be met by this site that is a joint venture with a Belarusian company established in 2006. Fifteen thousand sets of IKCO branded cars are to be produced and exported by this site per annum. IKCO has exported cars to more than 30 countries around the globe. It also runs 188 active dealers in its target markets.