Iran Auto Output Tops 26%

Iran’s Auto Policymaking Council has issued a new report on production, exports and customer satisfaction earlier this week.

Sasan Qorbani, the spokesperson of the council, reported that the number of vehicles produced during the first seven months of the current Iranian year (started March 20) observed a 26.2% year-on-year jump.

A local automotive website, Persian Khodro, reported that 691,581 vehicles were produced during the period, of which 638,753 units were cars.

According to the official, Iranian automakers are supposed to export some 35,000 units by the end of the current Iranian year.

This is while during the last seven months, they only exported 5,200 units that account for 15.2% of the determined goal.

Qorbani added that SAIPA has exported auto parts worth $6 million and vehicles valued at $21 million in the form of completely built-up and completely knocked-down units.

He also addressed the issue of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction, claiming that auto quality has improved.

This is while none of the reports of Iran Standards and Quality Inspection Company shows any significant change in auto quality.

Qorbani added that IKCO has been able to improve the quality of its products by 29%, according to their own estimates.

The official said, “By the end of the current Iranian year, all Iranian cars will earn at least a two-star rating in ISQI’s five-star ranking system.”

At present, 50% of the domestically made cars recently accessed by ISQI have only earned a one-star rating.