PSA Groupe’s Citroen brand plans to launch five new models in the Iranian market, according to a report released in local media over the Iranian weekend. According to a report by IRNA, the French carmaker is in the final stage of agreeing to the production of five models by SAIPA-Kashan, a subsidiary of the second largest carmaker inside Iran.
Fariborz Shahbaz, the CEO of SAIPA-Kashan, said on the sidelines of the ceremony to launch the production line of Changan CS35 that Citroen is about to kick off production with C-Elysee in their factory.
The official also said Changan CS35 will likely be produced by his company in the coming months, as it moves away from completely knocked-down units it currently assembles. Shahbaz noted that initially his company imported 1,500 Changans, which are also produced in partnership with Citroen in China, but now plans to broaden the range being built in Iran.
“Negotiations are underway and it will be a joint venture between SAIPA and Citroen. As soon as the contract is signed, more details will come out,” he said. Renault also has a joint venture with SAIPA. For more than 10 years, Renault Pars, a joint venture with SAIPA and Iran Khodro, has enabled it to produce nearly 500,000 vehicles in the country.
