Iran Khodro (IKCO) is confirming it received a visit just days ago from former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, as the tension surrounding European Union-imposed sanctions shows no sign of easing.
The surprise trip to Tehran by France’s previous socialist Prime Minister comes only days after the country’s new left-wing President, Francois Hollande, was sworn in at the Elysée Palace in Paris and as Peugeot continues to review its relationship with IKCO on a month-by-month basis.
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“Michel Rocard, the former Prime Minister was in IKCO, he visited the production line,” an IKCO spokeswoman told just-auto from Tehran. “His coming to IKCO was good for us.”
Iran is currently the subject of severe economic sanctions, part of whose fallout has seen several automakers, particularly Peugeot, having to review their operations in the country.
PSA has business worth an estimated 1.5% of its US$79bn turnover with its Iranian partner, but ever-more strident pressure from the US and the EU has led it to temporarily suspend parts shipment. Peugeot supplies parts to IKCO for the 206 and 405 models.
In comments released by IKCO but not independently confirmed by Rocard, the Iranian automaker quotes the former PM noting he did not believe the percentage of PSA acquired by General Motors would affect Peugeot’s Iranian partner.
What can be verified however, are comments made by IKCO by its CEO, Javad Najemdin, noting the 22-year relationship between Peugeot and the Iranian manufacturer, as well as his insistence more localisation of spare parts was cutting back on foreign exchange dependency.
“IKCO can now design and develop its own cars, three of which are Samand, Runna and Dena sedans,” said Najemdin.
The Iranian automaker’s sales and after-sales provider (ISACO) also remains confident it can supply IKCO despite the swingeing sanctions designed to dissuade Tehran from enriching uranium – a potential step to develop nuclear weapons.
Citing ISACO CEO, Behzad Zahiri, the IKCO spokeswoman told just-auto: “The sanctions have no effect on spare parts supply of IKCO products.
“He [Zahiri] said last year ISACO supplied parts for IKCO – 37% of these parts have been outsourced from foreign parts makers. This year this percentage is 30% [and] the forecast is 23%.”
The Iranians say pressure has been applied by new PSA partner General Motors concerning its business with Iran – a suggestion the Americans vigorously reject.
