The number of total vehicles (including heavy, commercial and passenger cars) produced in the five months ending Aug. 22 has increased by 10% compared with the same period of last year, the head of’s Automotive Industry Office announced.
“A total of 422,078 vehicles were produced in the first five months of the current fiscal year [March 21-Aug. 22], registering a 10% growth year-on-year,” Abdollah Tavakkoli Lahijani was also quoted as saying by Donyaye Khodro.
“Statistics concerning the production of all types of vehicles in the five months indicate that the car industry has stabilized in the country.”
Van production amounted to 806 vehicles during the period, up 806% compared with 124 vehicles in the previous year’s corresponding period.
The production of mini trucks, trucks and vehicle pullers grew 176% to stand at 9,678 vehicles from 3,512 vehicles in the same period of last year.
The output of pickup trucks reached 40,800 vehicles, registering a 46% YOY growth compared with last year’s 27,925 vehicles.
Bus and minibus production stood at 746 vehicles, showing a rise of 12% from last year’s 669 vehicles.
Also, passenger car output hit 370,048 during the period under review, registering a 6% rise compared with 350,261 cars in the previous year’s corresponding period.
In the current fiscal year (started March 21), the domestic automobile industry has focused on completing cars with deficit parts, but still output surged. Nevertheless, experts believe that achieving the annual production of 1.6 million cars will not happen anytime soon.
In the Automotive Industry Transformation Exhibition, held last month in Tehran, manufacturers unveiled their latest achievements in the form of concepts and prototypes, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade.
The strategic alliance of car manufacturers in the joint use of some domestic production platforms and sites, Iran Khodro's use of SAIPA's research center, SAIPA's employment of Iran Khodro's driving forces, integration of after-sales service and assistance networks, cooperation in the production of electric cars and synergy related to logistics, transportation and supply chain were the main results of the ministry’s initiatives concerning domestic automakers.
Cooperation of Two Major Carmakers
Industries, Mining and Trade Minister Reza Fatemi-Amin recently unveiled a new domestic economy car at this expo.
According to the minister, Iran Khodro and SAIPA, the two major Iranian automakers, will cooperate in the production of the economy vehicle, which currently has not been named, in the sixth month of the next fiscal year (Aug. 23-Sept. 22, 2023).
This economy car is a Class A vehicle with a maximum horsepower of 70-75, a maximum engine torque of 90-100 Newton meters and a distance of 2,430 mm between its two axles, Tejarat News reported.
According to the preliminary announcement, the car will resemble SAIPA’s QUIK, be priced under 2 billion rials ($6,745) and roll out in the second half of the next fiscal year that starts on March 21, 2023.
In the last few years, the prices of domestic cars have skyrocketed to such an extent that they have become unaffordable for most people and the low quality of these high-priced cars also triggered the criticism of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police.
Despite their unreasonably high prices, domestic vehicles are in demand, as the purchases are made with the intention of making investment for earning a quick profit.
Saina Electric Vehicle Unveiled
SAIPA unveiled its electric vehicle in the Automobile Industry Transformation Exhibition.
The exhibition, held at Tehran’s International Fairground on Aug. 25-28, was an opportunity for domestic automakers to introduce their capabilities and achievements to industrialists and customers, and prepare the ground for cooperation with other automakers.
SAIPA Group displayed the full range of its products, including Saina S hatchback electric vehicle, at this expo, Khabar Khodro reported.
The first version or the concept of this car was unveiled in the fiscal 2018-19, which is the result of cooperation between Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi University of Technology’s Facility of Mechanics, SAIPA Research Center and Belgium’s Punch Powertrain Company.
Saina S electric is one of the next generations of the X200 project. The car uses an electric engine equal to 70 kW or 94 horsepower, can go from zero to hundred in 12 seconds and has a maximum speed of 130 km/h.
Its lithium-ion battery can be charged in four hours and travel a distance of 200 km.
No other detail has been made public about this domestic EV and those who are interested in this vehicle will have to wait for SAIPA's next announcement.
What encouraged most global car manufacturers to produce electric cars is the fact that clean and environmentally friendly vehicles are imperative to stave off serious threats facing the Earth caused by climate change.
The high emissions of gasoline and diesel cars, the low cost of charging electric vehicles which is said to be a third of the cost of refueling gasoline and diesel cars, lowering greenhouse emissions and reducing lung and respiratory diseases are among the benefits of promoting EVs.
The unveiling of electric Saina shows the movement of Iranian automobile manufacturers in this direction and the bright prospects of EVs in the domestic automobile industry.
