Iran May 2012: Peugeot 405 back to #2, Iran Khodro Runna starts

Peugeot 405. Picture by kamshots.

* See the Top 15 most produced models by clicking on the title! *

As usual for Iran only models rankings by production (not sales) are available but they are a good reflection of car sales in the country as high import duties limit sales of other vehicles. The second month of the Persian year 1391, Ordibehesht, corresponds roughly to May 2012 and during that period only 86,356 cars were produced in Iran, a worrying fall of 34% on the 129,859 produced in Ordibehesht 1390. Year-to-date after 2 months in 1391 the market is down 31% to 140,096.

Iran Khodro Runna

The main reason for this fall is the disappointing figures of the Saipa Pride: it is down 38% this month to 36,551 units and 37% year-to-date to 58,007. Peugeot’s halt on part imports from France is having an impact also: the Peugeot Pars is down 19% at #5, the 206 is down 56% at #6 and the 207i is down 89% at #9. However the Peugeot 405 manages to increase its sales year-on-year at +6% and reclaims the 2nd place with 13,986 sales, way ahead of the Iran Khodro Samand at 10,453.

Renault models continue to take advantage of Saipa and Peugeot’s difficulties: the Tondar 90 (aka Dacia Logan) is up 34% year-on-year and stays at a best-ever 4th position with 8,657 units while the Megane is up 42% to 1,540 units at #8.

Originally presented in April 2009, the Iran Khodro Runna, based on the Peugeot 206, had only ever been produced at 10 units in Ordibehesht 1390. 24 additional units have been recorded in the official spreadsheets of www.ivma.ir this month. Coincidence, production blip or real kick-start? Hard to say and only the next couple of months will confirm whether over 3 years on, large scale production is finally starting for the Runna.

While we’re talking about delayed production starts, let’s mention the Iran Khodro Dena, unveiled in April 2011. Plans were to kick-start production in April 2012 to deliver 35,000 units by the end of the year but the Dena is yet to appear in the production spreadsheets of www.ivma.ir.

Previous month: Iran April 2012: Peugeot withdraws, Renault wins

One year ago: Iran May 2011: Saipa Pride rules, Tiba lands, Peugeot 405 still #2!

Full May 2012 Top 15 Ranking Table below.