TEHRAN (IRNA) – An official of Iran's biggest automobile manufacturing company, Iran Khodro, said here Monday that 200 automobiles of Samand brand have already been exported to Russia since the start of 2006.

Iran Khodro deputy director for Exports and International Affairs Alireza Mirzaii told IRNA that the first batch of Samand cars were exported after the company received the necessary license from the Russian Standards Institute. He said that the exports, given the fact that the Russian Federation is a competitive market for vehicles in the world, shows that "Samand has captured a share of the market in the country."

He said that the export license granted to the company by the Russian Standards Institute is a laudable achievement for the Iranian vehicle industry. "Exports of cars to Russia are expected to top 3,000 in the current year."

Samand designed to suit the Russian climate and requirements of Russian customers is known as "North Samand," he added.

Mirzaii said the company's exports stood at $115 million in the first eight months of the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2006).

He said that the figure includes vehicles, parts, and technical and engineering services exports.

He said that car exports this year have been unprecedented in the company's history.

"These exports will top $200 million by the end of the year," he believes.

He also assured that cars manufactured by Iran Khodro have a better quality than those of its domestic competitors. "The company has major plans to catapult all previous records of sales in international markets by 2010."

Mirzaii, moreover, said that the company exported over $10 million of car parts last year, adding that the figure is expected to double in the current year. "The management has plans to make its products even more competitive taking into account the tough and volatile international markets."

He said products of the company have an edge over those of competitors in regional markets because of their technical advantages which ought to be exploited.

Mirzaii also pointed to the changing domestic laws and regulations, bureaucratic red tape and non-membership in regional trading blocks as factors that hinder the company from reaching its maximum export capacity.

Furthermore, he said, various customs tariffs and fees levied on domestic automobile companies hamper its ability to compete favorably in world markets.

He said the company's objective is to export 10 percent of its annual production within the next four years.

For that purpose, he said the company has entered into joint ventures with reputable international automobile manufacturing companies.

Folks queue up for Peugeot 206 SD advance sale

People are coming in groups to register for Iran Khodro’s special sale of its brand-new product Peugeot 206 SD.

IKCO’s authorized dealers will write down a total of 4000 advanced purchase orders for the car until the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2006). Peugeot 206 SD enjoys a souped-up 1.6-liter fuel injection engine. It is the sedan model of Peugeot 206, therefore bearing slight changes in terms of looks and physical weight.

The car’s bodywork is indicative of its advanced driving force and maneuverability.