A new report by Hungary’s CE Auto has highlighted production figures of all Iranian automakers by combining the last quarter of the previous Iranian year with the first quarter of the current Iranian year (Dec. 21, 2015-June 20, 2016).
According to the company’s Best Selling Car blog’s report, the Iranian new light vehicle market shows a very dynamic performance with 555,745 locally produced units while imports slowed in that period with 32,762 units, noting a 23% decline compared with the same period of a year ago.
Brand-wise, Peugeot continues to dominate the Iranian market with 198,246 units sold over the period, or one in three vehicles sold in Iran so far in 2016.
The French carmaker signed on 21 June 2016 a joint-venture agreement with Iran Khodro called IKAP. This has two implications: firstly, the restoration of contractual relations for the production of Peugeot-branded vehicles currently sold in Iran.
Secondly and most significantly, the two companies will launch a joint factory in 2017 to produce the 301, 208 and 2008 models. Even though it seems to have been designed with Iran in mind, the 301 will be initially produced for export and not sold in the Iranian market before 2018.
Meanwhile, the nearly three decade-old 405 (#2) and Pars (#4) remain the most popular models in the country for the third consecutive year, while the 18-year-old 206 ranks third overall with just under 63,000 deliveries, including 43,000 sedans.
The second biggest local manufacturer SAIPA follows at second place with a 27.8% share, mainly thanks to the rebadged 1986 Kia Pride sold in hatch and sedan variants, and finding another 111,000 new homes so far this year.
The more modern Tiba follows at a distance in sixth place and 42,500 units.
Iran Khodro, the largest main Iranian carmaker ranks, third overall similar to last year but sees its market share thaw to 13.5%, with Samand at #5 in the passenger cars ranking, Dena at #8 and Runna at #11, but the new Arisun–a Peugeot 405 pickup launched in 2015–is the best-selling pickup truck in Iran with almost 14,000 sales.
French auto manufacturer Renault follows at fourth place, thanks to the continued success of Tondar L90 (a first generation Logan) now #9 passenger car in the country.
Chery (23,000 units) is the #5 brand produced locally.
Looking at imports, Hyundai dominates once again with 10,200 sales and a 31.1% share above Toyota (19.4%) and Kia (19.1%).
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the bestseller by far with 5,813 sales ahead of the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4. These are followed by Ssangyong’s Tivoli, Lexus NX and the new Hyundai Tucson.
