Iran 2010: Peugeot 405 should top the market

Saipa Tiba

Iran is the biggest car market in the Middle-East with an estimated 1 million+ cars sold each year. Two main manufacturers share the market: Iran Khodro (IKCO) and Saipa.

Saipa has launched the new Tiba, destined to become the brand’s biggest seller: 15,000 units were built in 2009 but its objective is to reach 200,000 units per year by 2012. The Saipa Pride (a 1986 Kia Pride) apparently accounts for up to 30% of Iran’s car park.

Iran Khodro launched the Soren in 2007, a revised version of the 2000 Samand which was the first Iranian-designed car. It is exported in 18 countries and 77,409 units were produced in 2008. The Iran Khodro Runna, based on the Peugeot 206, will launch in September 2011 and aims to reach 150,000 units a year at full production.

Iran Khodro Soren

IKCO also produces a restyled version of the 1987 Peugeot 405 under various names (405, Pars, RC and Roa) with enormous success: 258,090 units were produced in 2008 alone! The Peugeot 206 is also produced in Iran (2008 production figure is 78,399: 39,480 SD, 38,919 HB).

Peugeot Pars

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