Iran’s automotive production increased by 4.8% during the current Iranian year’s first eight months (March 21-Nov. 21) compared with the year-ago period.
According to data released by Securities and Exchange Organization on Codal.ir, Iran’s major automakers, Iran Khodro (IKCO), SAIPA and Pars Khodro, produced 583,798 sedans during the eight-month period.
IKCO had the lion’s share of 282,663 vehicles, up 0.5% year-on-year.
The company also manufactures commercial vehicles, such as pickups, vans, trucks and buses. However, no statistics have been released in this category.
SAIPA, IKCO’s competitor, produced 222,454 vehicles in the eight months, marking a 6.1% increase compared to the year-ago month.
Pars Khodro, a subsidiary of SAIPA, also registered a 19% increase in production that reached 78,681 during the period.
Monthly comparisons, however, show that the production rate in all three companies has seen a rise.
In the last Iranian month (Oct. 22-Nov. 21), the three automakers manufactured 82,163 sedans, 13.7% higher than the previous month.
During the period, IKCO’s production rate hit 40,387, marking an 11.1% growth compared to the previous month.
SAIPA’s output in the month was 29,826 vehicles, 11% higher than in the preceding month.
In addition, Pars Khodro recorded a 37.1% growth in the sixth month by producing 11,950 vehicles.
The pressure of US sanctions and mismanagement, coupled with the Covid-19 outbreak, has derailed Iran’s auto industry that has thrived mainly because of its exploitative monopoly and government support.
Once again, the government stepped in to help the auto sector and cut its reliance on foreign resources by forging indigenization deals.
Industry insiders have set the current year’s auto production target at 1.25 million sedans while some officials claim that the companies have the capacity to produce up to 3 million units.
In the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2021), IKCO and SAIPA signed deals with knowledge-based teams to indigenize auto electronic parts in the hope of enhancing the quality and quantity of their output.
Officials are optimistic that automakers will meet the goal this year.
Cost Reduction Initiatives
According to Farshad Moqimi, CEO of IKCO, the localization of vehicle parts has saved up to $210 million for the company in the last two fiscal years (March 2019-21).
He said the achievement mainly resulted from the localization of 135 auto parts and vehicle design projects implemented with the help of SAPCO during the period.
“The projects have gradually curbed IKCO’s dependency on foreign suppliers,” he added.
According to the IKCO chief, the company has produced 2,000 sets of vehicle frames and mechanical tools, saving up to $22 million with the support of industrial units affiliated with the Defense Ministry and knowledge-based companies.
“The company used to annually spend close to $360 million on the import of parts. Fortunately, indigenization efforts can raise the amount of saving to $248 million per year,” he added.
Moqimi noted that an additional 125 indigenization projects are underway in various fields, which are expected to reduce the annual import bill by €133 million.
“The ventures would save up to €76 million in auto parts and €26 million in raw materials. The optimization of car manufacturing process will also save €24 million and the localization of molds and auto mechanical equipment will help conserve an additional €7 million,” he said.
The IKCO chief noted that localization projects require an investment of €13 million, adding that IKCO intends to raise a portion of the funds by selling unproductive properties and assets, procure bank loans and attract private sector investment.
“The imported component used in the production of each vehicle is worth €1,715, of which 67% are spent on importing raw materials and electronic components,” he said.
“The remaining 33% are spent on parts and vehicle frames, which can be reduced in cooperation with other industries, such as petrochemical and steel manufacturing sectors.”
Moqimi urged local producers and industrial units to make their best efforts in implementing projects that advance the auto sector’s self-sufficiency.
In line with the automaker’s indigenization objectives, SAPCO, Iran’s largest auto parts manufacturer, is set to produce vehicle frames, parts and mechanical tools for 630,000 IKCO cars in the current Iranian year (ending March 2022).
The plan is aimed at reducing auto part imports by utilizing the domestic industrial and technological capacities.
In addition, SAPCO is working on 131 localization projects in collaboration with knowledge-based companies.
The parts maker also has 21 joint projects with the Defense Ministry, which are projected to save up to €33 million per year.
SAPCO has signed 23 collaboration agreements worth 2 trillion rials ($6.77 million) with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ Aerospace Division. The deals are expected to slash imports by $46 million per annum.
SAIPA’s Indigenization Measures
Last November, SAIPA announced that it is implementing 81 projects to indigenize high-tech auto parts for curbing the sector’s dependency on foreign resources.
Based on the automaker’s website Saipanews.com, the projects have been designed in collaboration with the Defense Ministry, IRGC’s Aerospace Division and the Iranian Army’s Air Force.
Daryoush Golmohammadi, SAIPA’s deputy for strategic planning, said 28 joint ventures are being implemented with industrial units, affiliated to the Defense Ministry.
“Seven sophisticated electronic car components have been localized and are ready for mass production,” he said.
Golmohammadi noted that SAIPA is producing 26 high-tech parts with the help of Aerospace Division.
“These items are undergoing trials and their production will begin, as soon as the prototypes are tested and verified,” he said.
The army’s Air Force is also cooperating with the automaker in 27 localization projects, which the official said are in the design phase.
The targeted auto parts, which used to be imported, include engine control unit, modulator, injector, airbag, multimedia system, DC engines, electric sensors and digital ammeter.
“With the domestic production of these components, SAIPA can curb capital flight worth €94 million annually,” Golmohammadi said.
SAIPA is also negotiating with the ministry for the joint production of GPS and radar systems for electric vehicles.
