Renault Kwid Seen on Tehran Highway

A Renault Kwid hatchback has been spotted on a highway in Tehran with a temporary license plate, according to eagle-eyed car enthusiasts following the vehicle on May 28, Iranjib.ir reported.

The Kwid model, which was first launched in India in 2015 has been hotly anticipated by many in the car community due to its radical design and low cost, which has been estimated to be in the region of 300 to 350 million rials ($8,000 to $9,370).

According to sources close to the company, the car is under technical tests by Renault and not related to “any specific project.”

If introduced, the car would likely come with a competitive price tag and sales of SAIPA Pride and Tiba may be severely affected by the car›s introduction.

SAIPA’s Tiba and Pride models are presently the cheapest cars in the local market priced at around 270 million and 222 million rials respectively ($7,229 and $5,900).

Renault did announce last year it was looking to produce the Kwid in Iran. However, since then only two leaked photos of the vehicle surfaced, one believed to be inside an undisclosed car factory, and the other, the latest freeway picture.

The previous managing director for Renault Middle East and the company’s local subsidiary Renault Pars, Peyman Kargar, had said the car would be coming to the Iranian market at some point soon.

Head of Iran’s Auto Part Manufacturers Association, Reza Rezaei, said in February that Renault is now operating independently in Iran and would produce low-budget cars starting with the Kwid.

“Renault’s intention to expand its presence in Iran is obvious as the company purchased a 50% stake in Bonro -- one of the subsidiaries of SAIPA.” The French carmaker was committed to the Iranian market during the sanctions years by continuing to produce the L90 Tondar (Dacia Logan) model, while its main competitor PSA Group (Peugeot Citroen) was forced to drop out due to punitive US sanctions and their business ties with US firms.