Swiss company makes Iran push with license deal
Swiss group Autoneum has reached an exclusive license agreement with Iranian automotive supplier Ayegh Khodro Toos (AKT) to produce and distribute components in Iran, it said on Monday.
AKT will produce inner dashes at its plant in Mashhad for IKAP, a joint venture between Iranian carmaker Iran Khodro and PSA, the French automotive group, reported Reuters.
The first vehicle equipped with Autoneum components, a sport utility vehicle, will be launched in early 2019, the Swiss group said.
Commenting on the signing of the contract, Martin Hirzel, CEO of Autoneum, said: “With 80 million inhabitants and just around 1.5 million vehicles produced annually, Iran is one of the global growth markets and a central automotive hub for the Middle East, Far East and the Caucasus region.
In view of the strong sales potential and the need of our international customers for lightweight components for acoustic and thermal management for regional vehicle production, we are convinced that we have found an optimal solution with our license partner Ayegh Khodro Toos.
In order to expand further its existing global market and technology leadership in acoustic and thermal management solutions, Autoneum consistently implements the strategic priorities set out in the corporate strategy.
The high performance culture promoted at Autoneum serves as the foundation for effective implementation and long-term corporate success.
Last week, Head of Iran Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (IAPMA) Reza Rezaei said Iranian auto parts manufacturers have started cooperation with their foreign counterparts within the format of the IKAP, the Iran Khodro- Peugeot joint venture.
He added Peugeot picked up 100 out of 200 Iranian auto parts manufacturers and linked them to foreign auto parts manufactures for cooperation within IKAP.
In an address to the first meeting of platforms builders for IKCO’S new models, Rezaei said the platforms of the auto parts for IKAP productions are ready. “The auto parts makers are ready to produce 70 percent of 2008 and 301 models.”
At present 1200 auto parts manufacturers are involved in meeting the car manufacturers’ needs, he said, “550 auto parts manufacturers are members of the association with certain ID.”
“The association was created about six years ago as part of a larger strategy to develop the industry and now with the full support of the car manufacturers and the Iranian government, the association is making considerable progress,” he noted.
He also referred to the capabilities of the Iranian auto parts manufacturers and said at present over 270,000 workers are working in the industry.
Masrouri also referred to the appropriate decision of the government to involve the domestic auto parts manufacturers in cooperation with international manufacturers and said leading domestic auto parts manufacturers are ready to establish joint venture with their foreign counterparts.
He said the association is completely ready to further expand its cooperation with counterparts with the aim of promoting their engineering capabilities and their human resources’ skills.