UANI Calls on Germany's FEV to Cease Business in Regime-Controlled Auto Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2012 Contact: Nathan Carleton, press@uani.com  Phone: (212) 554-3296    UANI Calls on Germany's FEV to Cease Business in Regime-Controlled Auto Sector Maker of Iran's "National Engine" Must Pull Out New York, NY - On Tuesday, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) called on German engine manufacturer FEV GmbH (FEV) to end its ongoing business dealings with the Iranian regime and affiliated entities. FEV has partnered with the Iran Khodro Powertrain Company (IPCO) in the production and design of the four-cylinder IKCO EF engine. The IKCO EF engine, also known as Iran's "national engine," was first showcased at the 2008 Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. In a letter to FEV President and CEO, Prof. Dr. Stefan Pischinger, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, wrote: In helping design the engine, FEV offered the UN-sanctioned Iranian regime the opportunity to promote its technology in an international forum. Cooperation did not end there. Despite stepped-up efforts to isolate the Iranian regime, FEV also helped Iranian automaker Iran Khodro ("IKCO") launch its "Dena" engine in 2011. Meant to be sold on international markets, the jointly produced engine provides yet another example of how FEV's business relations with Tehran enhance the economy of the internationally sanctioned regime. Of particular concern is that IPCO is a subsidiary of IKCO, which is itself owned and controlled by the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran ("IDRO"), an Iranian government body that controls companies involved in developing the regime's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. IDRO is sanctioned by both the United States and EU. Any ongoing business with Iran will damage FEV's international image and financial bottom-line... This should be of particular concern to FEV because of its extensive business in the United States. FEV's North American Technical Center, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, employs approximately 350 personnel and has been the recipient of $140 million in U.S. Government contracts since 2000 according to USASPENDING.gov. The majority of these contracts have come from the Environmental Protection Agency, but also from the Department of Defense. UANI launched its Auto Campaign in 2012 to identify foreign automotive companies doing business in Iran. The auto sector offers the regime an enormous source of revenue and a means to access advanced foreign technologies for its military and security forces. Recently, UANI launched its Germany Campaign, which highlights the extensive business activities of German firms and entities in Iran.             UANI has requested a reply from FEV by December 24, 2012. Click here to view UANI's full letter to FEV. Click here to send a message to FEV. Click here to learn more about UANI's Auto Campaign. ### United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons. The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures. UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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