TEHRAN — Last year, domestic truck producers had projected a production of over 32,000 trucks for the current Iranian calendar year (to end March 20, 2007), but a slowdown in the transportation sector led to production of 16,338 heavy vehicles.

Production of the commercial vehicles during the first 11 months of the year amounted to 158,668, including 16,338 trucks, 3,687 busses, 1,442 minibuses, and 137,201 pickups, the Persian service of ISNA said on Tuesday.

Total truck production from the nation’s major producer, Iran Khodro Diesel Co., during the period reached 7,700, of which 2,961 were different models of Mercedes Benz light trucks, 3,985 Benz trucks, and 815 Benz tractor-trailers.

During the period, SAIPA Diesel Co., also an auto manufacturer has produced 891 Badsan light trucks, 713 Volvo FH12, 650 Volvo NH12, 374 Renault Midlam, 48 FM9 and 49 FH16 trucks.