Iran Auto Market Turmoil: Broken Beyond Repair

Cautioning potential car buyers against widespread malpractices in the market, the head of the local Auto Dealers Association made a long story short: The auto market is derailed.
Saeed Motemani says, “The market is not properly regulated and the existing legal mechanisms are inefficient.” He is not alone in his opinion. The people, independent market observers and almost everyone with knowledge about the key auto industry and its abject failures are of the opinion that this sector is plagued with greed, chronic corruption and rent-seeking.
As one example of the fraudulent practices that have permeated the car industry, Motemani said, “Auto imports have been banned (since June). However, some firms with their bizarre advertisement campaigns are pre-selling vehicles they don’t have and cannot bring into the country.”
Cautioning customers against the prevalent malpractices, Motemani says, “Don’t preorder vehicles! Don’t pay upfront! If the dealer cannot deliver the car on the spot, don't pay a dime.”