Iran First Half 2016: Exclusive production and imports figures available

Locally-assembled Brilliance H330 with Pars Khodro logo

* Click on the title to see the Top 10 most produced cars, pickups, imports & brands *

It is now time to share with you exclusive detail on the Iranian new car market thanks to a partnership with CE Auto newsletter. Please note the period covered in this report is the one closest to the first half of the calendar year 2016, which is not how the Persian calendar works. The Persian year 1394 ended on 20 March 2016, with the year 1395 starting on 21 March 2016, so to get closest to H1 2016 figures we have to take into account the last quarter of the Persian year 1394 and the quarter of the Persian year 1395 (the period studied is, in Persian terms, 10/1394 to 03/1395). Also, this update combines production figures for local manufacturers with exclusive import sales data obtained with Iranian customs.

Originally launched in 1987, the 405 is Peugeot’s best-seller in Iran. 

Overall, the Iranian new light vehicle market shows a very dynamic stance with 555.745 locally produced units (vs. 962.737 over the Full Year 2015) but imports are slowing pace at just 32.762, 23% decline on the same period a year ago – meaning almost 10.000 vehicles less. Brand-wise, Peugeot continues to dominate the market with 198.246 units sold over the period, or one in three vehicles sold in Iran so far in 2016. The French carmaker signed on 21 June 2016 the final joint-venture agreement with Iran Khodro. This has two implications: firstly, the restoration of contractual relations for the production of Peugeot-branded vehicles currently sold in Iran.

A surefire hit in Iran, the Peugeot 301 won’t be available until 2018. Puzzling. 

Secondly and most significantly , the two companies will launch a joint factory in 2017 to produce the 301, 208 and 2008. Even though it seems to have been designed with Iran in mind, puzzlingly the 301 will only be produced for export initially and not presented to the Iranian market before 2018… Meanwhile the 29 year-old 405 (#2) and Pars (#4) remains the most popular design in the country for the 3rd consecutive year, and the 18-year old 206 ranks third overall with just under 63.000 deliveries including 43.000 sedans.

The Iran Khodro Arisun is the best-selling pickup in Iran so far in 2016.

Local manufacturer Saipa follows in 2nd place with 27.8% share, mainly thanks to the Pride, a rebadged 1986 Kia Pride sold in hatch and sedan variants and finding another 111.000 new homes so far this year. The more modern Tiba follows at a distance in 6th place and 42.500 units. Iran Khodro, the second main Iranian carmaker, ranks third overall like last year but sees its market share thaw to 13.5%, with the Samand at #5 in the passenger cars ranking, the Dena at #8 and the Runna at #11, but the new Arisun – a Peugeot 405 pickup launched in 2015 – is the best-selling pickup truck in Iran with almost 14.000 sales. All Iran Khodro passenger cars are based on Peugeot platforms.

The Renault Captur ranks 6th among imported nameplates.

French manufacturer Renault follows in 4th place thanks to the continued success of the Tondar 90 (a first generation Logan), the gearing up of the Sandero (also the 1st generation), now #9 passenger car in the country and the arrival of the Captur at #6 in the imports ranking. Chery (23.000 units) is the #5 brand in Iran and produces locally. Brilliance ranks at #8 and manages to place the H330 sedan among the 10 best-selling passenger cars in Iran this year.

The Ssangyong Tivoli is the #5 best-selling import in Iran, the Renault Duster ranks #20.

Looking at imports, Hyundai dominates once again with 10.200 sales and 31.1% share above Toyota (19.4%) and Kia (19.1%). The Hyundai Santa Fe is the best-seller by far with 5.813 sales ahead of the Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4. The Ssangyong Tivoli lands at #5, the Lexus NX at #8 and the new Hyundai Tucson at #11.

Previous post: Iran Full Year 2015: Exclusive production and imports figures available

One year ago (imports): Iran 1st Half 2015: Exclusive imports data now available

One year ago (local): Iran July 2015: Full production figures now available

One year ago (strategy): STRATEGY: What future for new car sales in Iran?

Full H1 2016 Top 10 most produced cars, pickups, imports & brands below.