The government has done its duty regarding car imports and applicants are expected to undergo the procedures speedily so that new cars could enter Iran soon, the industries, mining and trade minister said.
Reza Fatemi-Amin also told IRNA that the relevant regulations have been approved and coordination has been made with the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, the Department of Environment and other institutions.
“Individuals and companies have submitted their applications for imports and if they encounter any problem, we are ready to solve them,” he said.
The minister stated that car importers must guarantee after-sales service, or be an official representative, or transfer technology, and these are the main conditions for importing cars.
Previously, the deputy minister for transportation affairs had announced that 90,000 vehicles are expected to enter the country by the end of the year, stressing that the importing companies are expected to observe 85 standards.
“As per the regulations, priority will be given to cars costing less than €10,000, and then to cars in the price range of €10,000 to €20,000,” Manouchehr Manteqi was also quoted as saying by Otaghiranonline.
He called on the Central Bank of Iran to pave the way for the allocation of €1 billion in credit facilities for car importers.
“The cars will be imported not be only from Chinese car manufacturers, but also from South Korean and Japanese automakers,” he added.
Manteqi noted that the pricing of imported cars will take place in the stock market based on supply and demand, “which will control their price better”.
“Although it has been emphasized that economy cars are going to be imported, the prices of these cars will not necessarily be low or cheap because they will be offered in the stock market,” he said.
No Deadline for Car Imports
The Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade had earlier said that it is “impossible” to specify a date for car imports, which made experts wonder whether the ministry is serious about the issue.
While rumors have circulated about the ministry confirming the import of French, Japanese and South Korean brands, as well as domestic importing companies, market players and experts are cynical about any car import getting underway anytime soon.
Obstacles facing the implementation of import regulations are so obvious that the spokesman of the ministry said, “Apart from the Industries Ministry, many other institutions are also involved in the car import process, such as the Central Bank of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. Therefore, it is impossible to announce a precise date for car imports and we can only say it’s a work in progress.”
Omid Qalibaf added that car imports need €1 billion and CBI is planning to provide it in a positive environment, implying that most likely it would be allocated.
Dariush Badie-Sabet, an automotive expert, stated that the promises of the previous government have made the country's market pessimistic about the Industries Ministry’s announcements.
"These promises have been repeated by the current government, and the authorities boldly issue directives because no one is asking them to guarantee the fulfillment of those promises," he added.
Commenting on the complaints of some officials with the automotive industry’s performance, Badie-Sabet said, "With the expression of these complaints, automotive managers were expected to seek help from economic experts to solve the crisis and at least find the root of the problem. But unfortunately, we have not witnessed any positive actions in companies to improve the quality of popular cars."
In fact, market players complain that the Industries Ministry did not seek their opinion regarding car import regulations.
Asked how important these complaints are, he said the Industries Ministry’s haste in solving the problems of the domestic car industry and market, and increasing public satisfaction has made the stakeholders and experts skeptical about car import regulations.
The expert emphasized that the ministry not only failed to solve the problems, but has also made market players and experts believe that the ban on car import was only lifted on paper.
Responding to the comments of some officials about negotiations held by importers with foreign companies, Badie-Sabet said, “Such news should be announced by representatives of companies and the Automobile Importers Association to the media and people to ensure its authenticity. The active presence of the association in a professional manner can prevent the presence of fake companies and the cost inflicted by them.”
Earlier, the Iranian Parliament’s motion to impeach Industries Minister Reza Fatemi-Amin over his poor performance in the automotive industry, as well as in the fields of steel, mines and market regulation, had failed.
