Manouchehr MANTEGI
Born in 1955. He graduated from the University of Tehran, an electronic engineer, a professor in the field of management technologies and innovation management. In 1983-1999 worked in the aerospace industry, since 1999, the president and CEO of Iran-Khodro.
- Your company began with the production of a foreign model from foreign parts. How independent are you today?
“Iran-Khodro is already forty. There were two stages in his story. For the first thirty years, we have fully worked on foreign components. In the last decade, they have changed their strategy - they invited foreign partners to cooperate in the production of spare parts and in modern technologies. A movement has begun to create an independent brand. We focus on this. Our technological level is steadily increasing.
A few years ago, they began working together with Peugeot in the development of the 206 model with a sedan body. At the Peugeot booth of the Moscow Motor Show, you see the result of our joint efforts. We also cooperate with Renault - we are developing a pickup based on Logan. During our visit to Russia, we offered cooperation to Russian automakers, but it seemed to us that they were not ready for this yet. We are also negotiating with Chinese partners, we are ready to work with various companies and increase our presence in the markets of foreign countries.
- Is it possible to clarify in what form the cooperation was offered to Russian manufacturers?
- There are three aspects to this. Firstly, spare parts. We have rich experience in producing world-class quality parts. Secondly, joint work on trucks and commercial vehicles. In Russia and we have our own production, we could combine efforts. And thirdly, cars.
- Have you become cramped at home or are there other reasons for the development of exports to Russia and the countries of the Middle East?
- Yes, we can say that we have reached a new qualitative level both in the production and maintenance of our cars. This year we will produce 650 thousand cars, 4 thousand buses and 25 thousand different types of trucks. Last year, our turnover amounted to 7.3 billion dollars and 10% of the products were exported. We would like to increase exports, and this is not just about quantitative indicators, but also about improving quality and warranty.
- Which models are on the assembly line now, which of them are proprietary, and which are joint?
- Our property is the Samand brand. We are developing this family, and Samand machines are already being delivered to Russia. Together with the Peugeot, the 206 Sedan is produced, and we are preparing for the joint launch of Logan cars with Renault. With the Japanese "Suzuki" we are developing a SUV car for outdoor activities.
- On what principles do you participate in the Logan project, what output volumes are planned and for which markets?
- When we talk about Logan, we mean that Iran-Khodro will use its platform. We want to participate in the development of models on this platform. I already mentioned the pickup. An urban minibus will be created on the same platform. We plan to produce 150 thousand Logan sedans. With pickups and minivans, the annual output will reach 250 thousand, of which 20% will be exported. Logans made in Iran will be sold in other markets through the Renault dealer network.