Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 30
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
China’s automotive company BYD and Iran’s car manufacturer Kerman Motor signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles.
The deal was signed between renewable energies unit of BYD and Karmania, a subsidiary of Kerman Motor Holding, Karmania reported on its official website.
Under the deal, the Chinese company will export technology to Iran for manufacturing of hybrid and electric cars as well as rechargeable batteries.
The document envisages export of BYD e6 and BYD Tang cars to Iran in 2017.
The BYD e6 is an all-electric compact crossover/compact multi-purpose vehicle with a range of 300 km. The BYD Tang is a plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV). Its 18.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 80 km.
Ad Huang, executive director of BYD Middle East and Africa auto sales division, said on the sidelines of signing of the document that Iran enjoys high potential in terms of renewable energy and auto market.
The company will provide high quality products and services to Iranians, he added.
Pouya Salari Sharif, managing director of Karmania, said during the ceremony that BYD's commercial projects in the Middle East and Africa include energy storage facilities, renewable energy-based vehicles and solar power generation.
He further expressed optimism about the future of renewable-energy based vehicles in Iran’s market.
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.
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.