South Korea's Kia Motors, whose Pride model is ubiquitous on Iranian roads, said Tuesday it had suspended exports to the Islamic state after Seoul announced new nuclear-related sanctions. "South Korean government sanctions... were part of the decision," Kia spokesman Michael Choo told AFP, declining to comment further.
Kia's Pride, a small hatchback, accounts for 30-40 percent of all vehicles on Iran's roads, according to the company. The firm last year exported 4,210 complete vehicles to Iran and 17,040 cars in kit form for local assembly.
Kia said it suspended all exports to Iran last month, including completed vehicles, kits and spare parts. According to a survey issued Sunday, more than three-quarters of South Korea's small and mid-size exporters have partly or totally discontinued shipments to Iran following Seoul's sanctions. The survey of 88 smaller exporters conducted by the Small and Medium Business Administration showed 28 percent had halted exports. Another 48 percent said they had partially suspended shipments.