TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iranian largest car-maker Iran Khodro Industrial Group has established a new research center as part of its larger plan to develop various car systems.

IKCO CEO and president, Hashem Yekkeh-Zareh said, over the past years the industrial group has established several research centers in different fields including body and engine, all aimed at growing its knowhow in car industry.

He went on describing Gearbox Research Center as a milestone in IKCO�s technical strategy saying, IKCO assigned Charkheshgar Company to establish the new center given its expertise in gearbox production.

IKCO president also said the industrial group would attach great importance for production of automatic gearbox and gearbox with six gears.

�At first step, automatic double clutch transmission (D.C.T) would be designed and produced.�

Yekkeh-Zareh called for cooperation between IKCO experts and national and international universities adding that such a cooperation is a must for designing new gearboxes.

He emphasized that IKCO has already began cooperating with a foreign partner to design new products under IKCO�s brand.

Charkheshgar Company has been producing gearbox for heavy vehicles since 1969. German ZF holds 17 percent of its stocks

By ISNA