President Orders Automakers to Enhance Standards, Production

Following widespread public complaints about the poor quality of domestically-produced cars and the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s expression of dissatisfaction in this regard, President Ebrahim Raisi paid an unannounced visit to major automaker Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) on Wednesday. 
The president toured IKCO’s depot and described as “unacceptable” the large number of incomplete cars waiting for parts whose supply has been curtailed by manufacturers due to the automakers’ hefty outstanding debts, IRNA reported. 
Raisi then issued a series of executive orders in an address to carmakers, mandating the production of new models to replace old ones, a 50% increase in production, the regulated resumption of imports as of the new Iranian year (starting March 21) and the renovation of public transportation fleet, among others.
The visit came a few weeks after the Leader said that despite massive state support and facilities, the state-run domestic auto industry has been producing cars that fail to satisfy public expectations.
IKCO and the second major automaker SAIPA enjoy a near monopoly in the domestic market and so far car imports remain banned.