Tehran, Iran, October 25
By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:
The output of the leading Iranian car manufacturer Iran Khodro has dropped below 1,000 cars per day, the company's official representative said.
The official added that the company's output was 2,400 cars per day in May, Tasnim news agency reported Oct.25.
The number has dropped to 910, which shows a severe decrease in the car market, the official said.
The official also blamed a new loan announced to be paid by the government as a factor that has further lessened people's willingness to buy cars at the present time.
Around two month ago an Iranian campaign burgeoned in social media calling for the prohibition of Iranian-made cars for low quality, high prices, safety issues, high fuel consumption, etc.
The campaign has nearly brought the automotive industry in the country to its knees, reports indicating that many production lines are idle and the workers have nothing to do in their workplaces.
The campaign came in anticipation of the removal of international sanctions on Iran arranged in the country's recent nuclear deal with world powers. The campaigners are waiting for Western-made cars to flood the country and bring the prices down.
Last week Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia said people were "right" in anticipating lower prices in the coming months.