Iran Khodro’s CEO Hashem Yekezare in a follow-up announcement concerning IKCO’s plans to team up with Japanese automaker Suzuki said that in addition to Swift, Celerio and Ciaz, another model, Baleno will be produced in the country.
Suzuki is widening market plans to introduce affordable yet stylish models for middle-income economies.
Yekezare said the Baleno model will replace the large Kizashi sedan that was produced in the past few years during the height of western sanctions imposed on Iran over its civilian nuclear energy plan.
The Iran Khodro chief also stressed that in the next Iranian year (starting March 2017), new products will be available in the market, although the production site has not been decided yet.
Yekezare also mentioned that some of these models could be produced at IKCO’s central production facility and some at the Khorasan production site, which currently produces the Mark III Suzuki Grand Vitara model.
The Baleno model debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Suzuki developed its next generation platform for this car, which is believed to provide better fuel efficiency and performance. The car will also feature a SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, airbags, climate control and ABS with EBD.
