Venezuela’s Transportation Minister Ramón Velásquez said his country will buy 10,000 completely knocked down (CKD) and completely built up (CBU) vehicles from SAIPA Automotive Group.
Velásquez, who is also the co-chair of Iran-Venezuela Economic Commission, made the announcement after meeting SAIPA’s CEO Mohammad Ali Teymouri during a visit to SAIPA’s Automotive Industries Research and Innovation Center in Tehran.
The two sides exchanged views on enhancing automotive cooperation and undertaking joint car production in Venezuela, Khabar Khodro reported.
Presenting a report on the performance of SAIPA vis-a-vis new product lines, Teymouri said SAIPA has made good plans in the field of producing new and cutting-edge products, and has taken effective measures to market new products.
“The automotive industry is one of the key industries of any country, which plays an important role in promoting sustainable development and influences other major industries. SAIPA is ready to jointly produce and send its products to the Venezuelan market,” he said.
The Venezuelan minister commended the performance of SAIPA and said,
“Today, during my visit, I saw several modern and up-to-date car models that will soon enter the SAIPA production line.”
He stated that SAIPA is the flagship company of Iran’s automobile industry and plays an effective role in developing new technologies.
“SAIPA has made significant progress in the field of new technologies, which is very valuable. I hope that soon we will be able to revive the SAIPA factory in Venezuela with the cooperation of SAIPA Automotive Group,” he added.
Velásquez noted that the Venirauto factory, which was jointly established in the past, halted production after experiencing losses, stressing that Venezuela is determined to revive this factory.
He pointed out that as per the plan, 10,000 cars are needed, which will be bought from SAIPA.
“These cars will enter Venezuela in the form of CKD and CBU, where they will be assembled and marketed. When this is accomplished, SAIPA's products can be exported to other countries of the region, and we can foster the development and prosperity of the two countries in line with the interests of both sides," he added.
Velásquez said this cooperation will lead to the development and prosperity of Venezuela's automotive industry, which will accelerate industrialization and further strengthen relations between the two countries.
Russia’s Golden Opportunity for Iranian Parts Manufacturers
Current conditions in Russia have prepared the ground for the presence of Iranian auto parts makers in that country.
The upcoming Russian Automobility Exhibition offers a golden opportunity for Iranian parts manufacturers, who have been invited to expand cooperation with the Russian auto industry. It will be held from August 22-25 at the Moscow International Exhibition Center, Donyaye Khodro reported.
Extensive sanctions against Russia have constrained this country's industrial and services sectors. Small and large foreign companies are leaving the country and Russia’s automotive industry is in limbo.
Even some Chinese partners of the Russian auto industry have backed down after these sanctions and are not willing to continue their cooperation.
Currently, Russian car manufacturers need car parts, because of which they are looking for new partners.
Although the exhibition will not be the same as before and the world's major component manufacturers will not be present in it due to the US sanctions and Russia’s war with Ukraine, it is a good opportunity for Iranian companies to expand their market in Russia, which is in dire need of parts.
As per the plans, the Iranian pavilion will be opened in the Automobility exhibition by Kazem Jalali, the Iranian ambassador, in the presence of industrial and commercial players of automobile and parts manufacturing sectors of Iran and Russia.
A joint panel will be held and a memorandum of understanding will be signed by representatives of Iranian and Russian parts manufacturing associations, apart from B2B meetings and tours of Russian car and parts manufacturing factories on the sidelines of this exhibition.
“In the past, Iranian component manufacturers did not have a serious presence in Russian exhibitions,” Secretary of the Association of Homogeneous Propulsion Industries and Component Manufacturers Arash Mohebbinejad said.
“Along with other options, the Russians certainly looked at Iranians as an alternative, but at present Iran is the main option for cooperation with Russia for supplying car parts and producing cars. I hope we can take advantage of this exceptional opportunity and do not miss it.”
Russia has submitted a list of parts to Iran, which mainly include electronic and electrical parts, different kinds of sensors, metal and casting parts, polymer parts and braking pads. The association has passed the list to domestic component manufacturers.
Mohebbinejad noted that component manufacturers who have announced their readiness to attend will be able to meet these needs.
