China's Soueast Motor Co. Ltd. has clinched its biggest ever export deal with Iranian companies to sell 8,000 cars to Iran next August.

The 8,000 Soueast Delica cars, bought by Mehreghan Co. and its agent Setareh Nik Aria Vehicle Manufacturing Co., will be used to replace rundown taxis in Iranian cities.

Soueast Motor, based in southeast China's Fujian Province, has won the lion's share of the Iranian government's plan to replace 15,000 taxis in 2007, according to a report on the company's website.

But the company did not reveal the price of the exported cars.

The export deal is a major breakthrough for Soueast Motor, which is trying to promote its products on the international market, said Ling Yuzhang, board chairman of the company.

To boost the export of cars and parts, the Chinese government is planning to set higher requirements for the country's car exporters.

Soueast Motor was among the first 44 car exporters to be approved by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission in August of this year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2006)