New cars produced on Iranian platforms are expected to enter the market by March 20, 2018, the minister of industries, mining and trade said.
Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh added that Iranian automakers are currently negotiating with foreign companies willing to share technological knowhow specifically in the field of producing engines based on Euro 5 standards, Mehr News Agency reported.
“New policies and strategies were devised last year, specifically for the auto sector, which stipulated that a general plan should be drafted to manufacture platforms and engines in Iran,” he said.
The minister said Iran is capable of producing both platforms and engines and reports by auto manufacturers, namely Iran Khodro Company and SAIPA, show they are on the right track.
He added that like most other countries, the auto industry is a very critical one in Iran, as it stimulates other industries.
“With the advancement of auto technology at the global level, cars are becoming more and more sophisticated, which highlights the critical need of developing technologies in Iran,” he said.
Nematzadeh noted that cars produced in the past followed Euro 2 standards that have now been upgraded to Euro 5, while plans are in place to improve the quality to Euro 6 standards.
“We hope that the quality of fuel will also improve alongside the cars,” he said.
The minister announced that Iranian manufacturers plan to produce heavy-duty vehicles that conform to Euro 5 standards.
To this end, local auto firms are negotiating deals with foreign partners that can provide the necessary technologies.
Although the minister did not name any of the foreign firms in question, previous reports suggested that Mercedes-Benz was in talks with Iranians to produce trucks in Iran.
Nematzadeh further said production of vehicles at Iran’s second largest carmaker SAIPA has increased by 19% and 17% compared with the same period of last year and the previous year respectively.
“This is a considerable achievement,” he said while touring SAIPA’s facilities.
In his meetings with SAIPA officials, Nematzadeh reviewed the latest activities undertaken by SAIPA in the area of product design.
