TEHRAN, July 1 (Mehr News Agency) -- Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) is to start making hybrid cars from late July aimed at fuel consumption optimization, said the managing director in Tehran Sunday.

IKCO's compressed natural gas company with a 250 thousand tank capacity is to start operation in the central province of Qazvin in the next Iranian calendar year (to start March 21, 2008), meeting domestic CNG tank demand, Manuchehr Manteqi added.

The carmaker has so far purchased 70 thousand fuel tanks from a domestic company and the agreement for another 300 thousand has been inked, said the official.

An additional accord for a 200 thousand tank production is also underway, he said.

... Payvand News - 7/2/07 ... --