Iran Khodro Diesel Makes CNG-Powered Bus

Iran Khodro Diesel, the industrial vehicle subsidiary of Iran Khodro Company, the country’s top carmaker, has announced the production of its first range of CNG-powered buses.

Iran Khodro Diesel lags behind its automobile counterpart but, with added investment and international cooperation, it is beginning to open up to international cooperation, according to a press release from the company, Reuters reported.

IKD Chief Executive Officer Ebrahim Razzazi said of the new vehicle, “Since August, a test version of the vehicle has been in stealth mode around Tehran with 70% of local parts,” he said.

Razzazi did not say if the test vehicle had any breakdowns during its initial trial.

“This bus takes advantage of the new generation of Daimler-Benz M936LAG engine and the new German ZF 6AP1200 gearbox, while it meets Euro-6 pollution standard,” he added.

The IKD chief noted that the high power and acceleration, high passenger capacity, low value depreciation, easy repair and low maintenance costs help keep the bus on the roads longer.

“This bus can play a crucial role in air pollution reduction, as it meets the mentioned standards,” he said

Razzazi said IKD will produce over 2,000 units inside Iran over the next three years in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz.

Daimler and IKD previously signed with Mercedes-Benz to produce Axor Trucks as well as diesel engines.  

For more than half a century, IKCO Diesel has been the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of medium- and heavy-duty Mercedes trucks in Iran.

Razzazi also said Setareh Iran Company is the only official subsidiary and exclusive authorized retailer in Iran.

Iran Khodro Diesel was initially established under the name of Khawar Industrial Group in 1966. The company started production by assembling one truck a day and increasing production over a decade.

Today, Iran Khodro Diesel has a production site of 600,000 square meters. The company’s total annual production is over 20,000 units of heavy and semi-heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses and minibuses.