Iran 2002: Last year of reign for the Paykan in market above half-million mark

The Paykan closes a reign over Iranian sales that started in 2002.

No sign of abating for the Iranian new car market growth in 2002 at +42.3% to brilliantly cross the half-million mark for the first time in history at 520.544 sales. Iran Khodro (+26.5%) visibly trails the market gain to see its share thaw to 35.5% whereas Saipa (+62.9%) improves to 26.3% and Peugeot (+56.3%) to 22.6%, both reaching their highest share on record. Below, Nissan (+35.7%), Daewoo (+43.2%) and Renault (+17.9%) ensures the Top 6 – and in fact the Top 12 – remains unchanged on 2001.

The Iran Khodro Paykan (+16.7%) signs a 36th straight year at #1, surfing on the market’s record rise to register its largest annual volume yet at over 145.000 units. This would end up being its last year at the top, and already in 2002 the Saipa Pride (+63.4%) has almost entirely caught up with 136.000 sales. Peugeot manages to place the 405 (+71.8%) and 206 (+152%) inside the Top 4. The Iran Khodro Samand, the carmaker’s first original design and touted as a replacement for the Paykan, is starting to make itself noticed: up 10 spots on last year to land at #7 with over 20.000 sales. The Peugeot Pars (+116%), after the RD yet another premium-aiming adaptation of the 405, is also gaining traction at #9.

Full Year 2002 Top 15 All-brands and Top 30 All-models vs. Full Year 2001 figures below.