Iran seeks German engine production expertise

Tehran, Dec 15, IRNA - Iran’s second biggest carmaker, Saipa, has called for cooperation with German companies for production of low-consumption engines. Saipa’s Managing Director Saeed Madani made the statement in a meeting with the members of German trade delegation in Tehran on Sunday. “We are seeking to build low-consumption and clean engines, and we hope to implement (this project) with cooperation between the industries of Iran and Germany,” he said. “The German industry can help (Iran’s) supply chain of spare parts and our car industry, and we are interested in having good and constructive cooperation among spare parts industry, Saipa and Germany,' he said. Madani noted that his company “took good steps in this direction”, saying increasing cooperation with German companies is the top priority of Saipa. Burkhard Dahmen, the head of the delegation and the deputy president of German Near and Middle East Association, also said Germany is ready to invest in Iran’s car industry and use Iran as a hub for exporting autos to its neighboring states. The 30-member delegation, which arrived in Iran on December 6, also held meetings with the managing directors of Iran Khodro Diesel, National Iranian Copper Industries Company, Bank of Industries and Mines, and Renewable Energy Organization of Iran. Iran’s automotive industry is the second most active industry of the country after oil and gas, accounting for 10 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The Islamic Republic currently ranks fifth in the world in terms of car production growth, standing after China, Taiwan, Romania and India. Recently, an international auto show was held in Tehran with the participation of representatives from 400 companies from 20 countries, including Britain, Germany, Japan, India, South Korea, China and Sweden. Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot, Kia and Toyota are among the companies that participated in the exhibition./end