TEHRAN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran exported 2,000 sedans to Venezuela after an eight-year hiatus in its overseas sales of cars to the South American state, Iran's major automaker Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) reported on Thursday.
The report listed the exported cars as Dena and Rana models, stressing that IKCO has placed on its agenda increasing exports to Venezuela in an effort to expand its target markets, create greater added value and have a bigger share of the country's market.
It said given the Venezuelan people's interest in the IKCO products, the company seeks to export, in addition to sedans, heavy and semi-heavy vehicles, auto spare parts and motorcycles to the country.
In November, Venezuelan Transport Minister Ramon Velasquez said a total of 80,000 orders for Iranian autos have been placed in Venezuela, and 1,000 of them will be sent in the first stage, according to Iran's Labour News Agency.
Iran and Venezuela, both heavily hit by U.S. sanctions, have established close economic and energy ties in recent years to offset the impacts of sanctions.
Iran has also exported cars to countries including Iraq, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In November, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia to export cars. The MoU is estimated to be worth 300 million U.S. dollars, according to semi-official Fars news agency. ■
