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said the director-general.
His comment was previously aired by that of South Pars' managing director, who also confirmed a large increase in gas exports to regional neighbours and beyond but said the​ ​country had seen an 87% increase​ ​since 2013.
The average volume of gas exports in summer is 75 mcm per day, Torbati explained.
9.2.2 ​Automotive corporate news
BMW’s Iran rep to offer Chinese Hongqi sedan
Iran’s SAIPA introduces the “Offroady”, its first SUV
Persia Khodro, BMW and MINI’s semi-official representative in Iran, has announced it will start offering the Chinese FAW Hongqi H5 luxury sedan in its showrooms as part of expansion plans, ​Asbe Bokhar​ magazine has reported.
The BMW dealer, which sticks to a semi-autonomous relationship with its parent company in Germany due to ongoing US sanctions, has struggled to stock its showrooms with new models. There are often year-long waits at customs for shipped cars due to price fluctuations.
The company has long sought to bring in cheaper Chinese models, given the Iranian rial’s stark depreciation against the euro. The depreciation has forced even many middle-class Iranians to look for cheaper new-car options instead of snapping up premium European brands.
Where it is present on markets, the H5 usually has a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine of 178 hp and 250 Nm.
According to quoted sources close to Persia Khodro, three test models have been brought into Iran and are currently parked at the company’s main depot on the Tehran-Karaj Road.
The magazine noted that the models would be tested on the capital’s roads in coming weeks once they have received temporary licence plates.
Persia Khodro is also reported to be exploring the possible assembly of the vehicle in the country from semi-knock-down (SKD) kits. That would reduce import costs and provide jobs for locals.
Iran’s auto industry has been heavily influenced over the past decade by the expansive Chinese car industry.
Several Chinese car companies have ​grown their presence​ in the country either by directly setting up operations, such as in the case of Chery in partnership with MVM, or by selling their products in complete-knock-down (CKD) form to existing manufacturers present on the market.
Iran’s second-biggest car producer SAIPA has unveiled its first domestically produced sports utility vehicle (SUV). It is called the “Offroady”, according to ​Asbe Bokhar​ magazine.
The announcement of the first “Iranian crossover” car came after ​SAIPA finally halted production ​of its much-maligned Pride which first entered production in the early 1990s and was based on the design of the Kia Pride which it took its name from.
Javad Soleimani, SAIPA’s CEO, announced the SUV without revealing details of the car or even close-up pictures of the vehicle.
"This product will be the first localised SUV in the country and features two differentials and an independent chassis, which gives this car considerable capability, power and quality," he said.
Social media immediately questioned the origins of the SUV which has appeared out of thin air, with some suggesting it may be a rebadged Chinese vehicle.
Iranian automakers have a long history of working with Chinese car
59​ IRAN Country Report November 2020 www.intellinews.com