Karmania Offers New BYD Model

Karmania, a local automaker and official representative of China’s BYD in Iran, has started presales of the latest version of a new sedan, the BYD F3. According to the company, the BYD F3 is priced at 495 million rials ($13,000) and is scheduled for a 5-month delivery, local automotive website Donyaye Khodro reported. The minimum down payment for the car is 80 million rials ($2,000). Karmania offers buyers 18%-22% interest based on a Mosharekat deal–a Sharia-based partnership contract between the borrower and the lender. Buyers are offered a 100,000 km or 3-year after-sales service. The F3, known to be economic on fuel consumption, is powered by a 1.6-liter Mitsubishi-sourced engine and connected to a 5-speed manual Mitsubishi gearbox. Its interior is a replica of a last-generation Toyota Corolla, but with softer surfaces. At first glance, this Chinese car is a Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla lookalike with shades of other brands. It scored well in China-NCAP crash tests by receiving four stars out of five.