Iran Standards and Quality Inspection Company released a new report on the quality of 33 locally-made cars.
The new statistics show domestic cars are still suffering from lower than expected ratings, with some of the models being produced for over a decade.
According to ISQI’s report, in a 30-day period starting June 22, 70,772 vehicles were manufactured in Iran, 93% of which were passenger vehicles.
The cars have been classified in five price ranges from the lowest costing under 250 million rials ($7,143) to the highest priced at above 1 billion rials ($28,571), Mehr News Agency reported.
In January, vehicle auditing methods were restructured and depending on their quality, cars received a rating of one to five stars.
The latest quality rankings place Kia’s Cerato, Mazda 3, Renault’s Sandero, Tondar 90 (L90 or Dacia Logan) and Runna on top of the list. With a total of 5,597 units, these vehicles received a maximum of three stars. All other cars received only one or two stars.
Statistics indicate that more than half of all local cars assessed (52%) obtained a single star, 27% received a two-star rating and 21% were given three stars.
According to the report, Kia’s Cerato and Peugeot’s 206 SD were the only cars that showed improved quality.
Since the implementation of the new quality assessment system, no local cars have obtained more than three stars.
The new ranking system is reportedly stricter than previous inspection methods, but has been subject to criticism as it leaves out critical information on car quality.
Previously, cars would receive a number rating above or below zero. Vehicles were evaluated on criteria, such as technicalities, performance, engine malfunction, brakes and electronics.
Problems concerning design and assembly were also taken into account as were unusual sounds, water resistance, body work and paint. All these data are excluded in recent reports.
