Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 18
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iran’s Kerman Motor Company, has reached an agreement with South Korean Hyundai to produce a range of South Korean vehicles, Saman Firouzi, managing director of the Iranian car manufacturer said.
At the first step two Hyundai i10 and i20 models will be manufactured in Iran, Firouzi said, ISNA news agency reported.
He further said that production of the two models will start early next year.
Located in south eastern Iran, Kerman Motor Company currently produces a range of Chinese vehicles, including JAC J5 and S5 as well as Lifan 820, 620, X50 and X60.
Earlier in January it was reported that the company is negotiating with Volkswagen, Hyundai and Daewoo to begin manufacturing their latest products at Iran’s third largest automotive hub.
Kerman Motor is currently a holding company that comprises Kerman Motors, ModiranKhodro, RayenKhodro and Bam Khodro, with a workforce of 6,500.
Vehicles produced by the holding account for nearly 7 percent of all vehicles manufactured in the country and 10 percent of the overall worth of the car market. After state-owned Iran Khodro Company and SAIPA, Kerman Motors is the country’s third largest carmaker and the top private sector carmaker.