Iran Ranked as the 16th Biggest Automaker of the World in the Year 2006

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c59259) has announced the addition of “Automotive Industry and Market of Iran 2007” to their offering.

Iran ranked as the 16th biggest automaker of the world in the year 2006. It is the number one automaker of the Middle East and one of the leading front runners in the Asian continent. Over one million and eighty four thousand automobiles were produced in the year 2006-2007 which constituted 1.43% of the total automobiles produced in the world. Automotive production in Iran between March 2006 and March 2007 rose to 127 units per 1000 persons in the country.

There over 25 automakers in Iran, actively producing both light and heavy vehicles. These automakers are in joint venture with several popular international automakers such as Peugeot (France), Citroen (France), Volkswagen (Germany), Nissan (Japan), Toyota (Japan), Kia Motors (South Korea), Proton (Malaysia), Chery (China) and many other established producers of light and heavy vehicles. These automakers produce a wide range of automobiles including motorbikes, passenger cars, vans, mini trucks, medium sized trucks, heavy duty trucks, minibuses, large size buses and other heavy automobiles used in commercial and private activities in the country.

However, despite high production levels, it is unanimously believed by experts that the demand for automobiles far outstrips the supply. According to estimates the current demand stands at 1.5 million vehicles, which currently cannot be met by the local producers. More than half of the vehicles in Iran are over 25 years old and vehicle density is relatively low at 55 cars per 1000 people.

In 2006, the government lowered the automotive import tariff levels to 90% (further drop is expected in March 2008) for light weight vehicles and since then a huge influx of imported vehicles has been witnessed in the country. The tariff level for import of heavy vehicles is even lower at 20%, due to low levels of local production and high demand. As a result, a variety of automotive brands are being presently imported into Iran including Toyota, BMW, Mercedes Benz (these three being the expensive and/or luxury brands), Rover, Ssangyong, Audi, Subaru, Rio LS, Hyundai (Sonata and Azar1), Citroen, Daimler-Chrysler, Proton, Countach, Volkswagen, Renault Leon, Altea variety of heavy vehicles, construction and mining equipment from leading manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Renault, Iveco, Mann, Kamaz, Caterpillar.

This report, published on 1st June 2007, gives detailed and latest figures, information and analysis of Iran's automotive industry and market. The report contains the following key information and figures of interest to international automakers up to March 2007:

- Complete figures of automotive (light and heavy) production in the country by manufacturer, brand, quantity and type

- Complete figures of local manufacturers, their current production, future plans, joint ventures and capacity

- Complete figures of automotive imports in the country by brand, quantity and type

- Detailed import procedure and legal requirements for importing automobiles in to Iran

- Detailed analysis of demand and supply for automobiles (light and heavy) in the Iranian market

- Detailed analysis of market and changes that are taking place

- Challenges to the automotive industry of Iran

- Future outlook, containing detailed analysis of current economic, political and other important factors that affect the demand and supply levels in the market

A wide range of authentic sources have been used for this most comprehensive report on the automotive industry and market of Iran including key ministries and their departments concerning production and import of automobiles in Iran, major newspapers and magazines published in Iran and internationally, automotive experts and CEOs of various automakers in Iran and abroad and international sources such as the World Bank, IMF, OICA etc.

Companies Mentioned:

- Iran Khodro Group

- Saipa (Societe Annonyme Iranienne De Production Automobile) Khodro

- Morattab Khodro Company

- Zamyad

- Shahab Khodro

- Rayan Khodro

- Bahman Auto Manufacturing Group

- Zagros Khodro

- Modiran Pars Company (MPC)

- Rakhsh Khodro Diesel

- Fath Khodro

- Bam Auto Manufacturers (BAMCO)

- Oghab Afshan Khodro

- Karizan Khodro

- Maziran Khodro

- Hepco

- Tractorsazi

- Kish Khodro

- Zarin Khodro

- Kavir Khodro

- Saipa Diesel

For more information, visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c59259