Automaker Azar Ettesal based in East Azarbaijan Province has launched presales of its locally designed light-duty trucks with a relatively competitive price.
The 5.2-ton truck, dubbed ‘DAND’, was unveiled at the Tabriz Motor Show over the weekend and is priced at 720 million rials ($18,460), local automotive website Asre Khodro reported.
According to the company CEO Younes Akbarpour Paydar, the truck has several options and can be used for urban and inter-city transport services.
The vehicle’s exterior is modeled after Isuzu N-series trucks, popular with Iranian drivers, and has a Chinese FAW drivetrain. The exhaust system is equipped with a diesel particulate filter. DPF is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of diesel engines.
Paydar said, “30% of the parts used in the vehicle are locally manufactured.” He added that the share will be increased in the future. Azar Ettesal is also set to manufacture other trucks on the same platform. Paydar said the DAND will be sold through various sales schemes but did not provide details.
A wide range of light-duty trucks are available in the local market, most of which are imported. High import tariffs and price gouging have pushed prices through the roof and the vehicles are sold for more than twice the price in the international market.
For example Hyundai’s six-ton trucks are offered for 1.19 billion rials ($30,500) and Isuzu’s trucks which fall in the same range are tagged at 1.22 billion rials ($31,410).
Exports on the Agenda
According to the CEO, Azar Ettesal is eyeing neighboring export markets. “The company is finalizing a deal to export to Iraq and is in talks with Pakistani and Armenian auto importers.”
He said his company can annually produce 2,000 trucks.
Azar Ettesal is an auto parts manufacturer turned automaker. The company has been producing drivetrain, engine and axle parts for more than three decades and has plans to set up sales and after-sales offices in major cities, including Isfahan and Kerman.
While Iranian carmakers are lagging behind their declared export programs, truck manufacturers have been able to claim a share in neighboring markets. Earlier in August Soroush Diesel Mabna shipped its first locally produced light-duty trucks to Iraqi Kurdistan.
The company has a deal with the Iraqis to supply 985 units of its Hyundai trucks by next March.
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