TEHRAN – Over 6,000 Samand cars have been exported in the first 10 months of the Iranian calendar year (falling in between March 21, 2005 and January 20, 2006). The figure is expected to reach 60,000 over the next year, assistant director of Export and International Affairs of Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) Alireza Mirzaii told the Persian service of ISNA on Tuesday.

Based on its comprehensive planning, 24% of the IKCO’s most popular passenger vehicle is to be exported to over 30 MENA and CIS countries, of which some have already been the recipients, on annual basis. If so, total of 200,000 would hit the roads at the target countries by 2010, he stated.

Moreover, another strategy is to assemble or produce Samand in other countries enjoying sound infrastructures in CBU (completely built unit), SKD (semi-knocked down) and CKD (completely knocked down) methods. “This has stretched all the way to Venezuela which seems to be a proper candidate after thorough market studies,” Mirzaii added.

Another important development is Belarus site commissioning to be completed in the coming months. This assembly line of Samand is going to replace Ford production line with initial capacity of 1,000 automobiles per annum.