Iran’s top carmaker aims to push exports to Russia as both nations operate under Western sanctions, a plan outlined by Iran Khodro’s chief executive Mehdi Khatibi in discussions summarized by the International Business Times.
The remarks came during a public unveiling of the Rira crossover’s latest model at a facility west of Tehran, where the company showcased its ongoing product evolution and regional ambitions.
“Negotiations with Moscow have been strong. Russia offers significant opportunities, and it will be one of our key markets. We intend to begin exporting this year,” Khatibi stated, highlighting a strategic shift toward diversified regional sales and sustained export growth.
Rira crossover presentation
The timing of Sunday’s announcement aligns with President Vladimir Putin’s July visit to Tehran and meetings with Iranian leaders, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, underscoring a broader diplomatic and economic alignment between the two countries amid global pressures.
Since the start of Russia’s operation in Ukraine, Western sanctions have intensified, while Iran has weathered sanctions for decades. Both nations have adapted through repeated cycles of pressure, seeking resilience through strengthened economic cooperation and mutual support.
Iran Khodro’s vice president, Kianush Pourmojib, noted that while the company is pursuing markets in Azerbaijan, Oman, and Iraq, Russia stands out as the most important in terms of volume potential and strategic impact.
The company projects producing 500,000 vehicles this year, with an export target of 100,000 units, up from current levels beneath 20,000. Iran Khodro has previously exported cars to Russia from 2007 to 2009, but demand dwindled, and repeated efforts to re-enter the market have faced challenges on several occasions.
Reference
Iran Khodro is the largest car maker in Iran, headquartered in Tehran. It brands its own models while also producing under license from Peugeot, and Mercedes-Benz contributes by assembling trucks and buses under license.