A report published in the local media has recently ranked Iranian cities at the forefront of auto manufacturing.
Auto production lines are active in eight Iranian provinces. Tehran tops the list with a large margin from the second ranker Khorasan Razavi, Eghtesad News reported.
The report states that Isfahan is the third largest auto manufacturer followed by Kerman.
The latter province boasts the only private sector carmaker in Iran while the remaining seven provinces are home to subsidiaries of the two largest state-owned carmakers: Iran Khodro Company and SAIPA.
Statistics released by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade show that 146,000 vehicles were manufactured in Iran by May 20. Data show that during this period, 62% of all cars were manufactured in Tehran, which was followed by Khorasan Razavi and Isfahan that produced 11.6% and 9.5% of all cars, respectively.
Kerman Motor and its many subsidiaries, which accounted for 8% of all cars made during this period, are now manufacturing several Chinese models, namely Chery GAC and Lifan.
Prior to the imposition of sanctions on Iran by the West over its nuclear energy program, South Korean models such as the Hyundai Verna and Avante were also made at the Kerman plant.
By May 20, East Azarabijan, Mazandaran and Fars produced 3.5%, 3% and 2% of all local-made cars, respectively.
The data do not include production figures for the province of Lorestan where Zagross Khodro is located.
Figures show 90% of all cars entering the market during this period were manufactured by IKCO and SAIPA and other brands accounted for rest.
