TEHRAN, Iran, Aug.5
Trend:
Iran is to produce low emission three-cylinder engine cars to reduce fuel consumption, said deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade.
"Iran Khodro will design and produce the auto engines to follow environmental standards, while SAIPA and Iran Khodro are expected to invest in this initiative together with private sector," said Mehdi Sadeghi Niyaraki, Trend reports citing IRNA.
"Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran is preparing for mass production of the engine to be installed on domestic vehicles," the official said. "In turn, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade plans to produce affordable cars to replace cheap models including Pride and Peugeot 405."
"The substitute vehicles include Tiba and Saina that are already in the market, while Samand and Peugeot Pars are other alternative models which also are affordable," the deputy minister added. "There are different models with a proper price to be supplied to the auto market."
"The electronic systems and other equipment in vehicles will apparently increase their price, but domestic cars shall be economic. Their price will be low compared to similar models in the world especially considering the dollar rate," he said.
Iranian automakers have halted the production of Pride and Peugeot 405 recently. The price of domestic vehicles has increased in auto market while many seek to invest their money to avoid devaluation of national currency.
Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) has produced 51,455 vehicles from April 20 till May 21 that is more than last Iranian year (started March 21, 2019).
Iran's Khodro 's Managing Director Farshad Moghimi has previously told Trend that the auto production is expected to reach 500,000 cars before the end of current Iran year (started March 20, 2020), and the production continues during coronavirus with observation of health protocols.