Iran Khodro to sign deal with Mercedes Benz

The two sides have already reached an agreement on production of commercial vehicles and passenger cars in Iran.

IKCO’s Chief Executive Hashem Yekkeh-Zareh revealed that the letter of intent will be signed during the first half of the next (Iranian) year.

Mercedes-Benz is a subsidiary of German-based Daimler which has announced a swift return to Iran where the race among carmakers for a share of the country’s huge market is getting intense, reports ISNA.

In January, the German carmaker said it had signed letters of intent with local partners Iran Khodro Diesel and Mammut Group to arrange a ‘comprehensive re-entry’ into the country.

The areas of cooperation include a joint venture for local production of Mercedes-Benz trucks and power-train components plus the establishment of a sales company for the brand’s trucks and components, said the report.

Daimler also plans to return as a shareholder in the former engine joint venture Iranian Diesel Engine Manufacturing Co. (IDEM), based in Tabriz, added the report.