Abstract
This chapter treats the development of Iran’s auto industry. Through cooperation with European and Asian multinational corporations (MNCs) and a vigorous localization drive, the Iranian auto industry has in the past two decades increased its production severalfold. Whereas reliance on imported complete knockdowns (CKDs) has remained extensive in the upper segments of the market, the main achievement has been the formation of a domestic parts-suppliers network and high levels of localization in the lower segments. Yet, the industry’s growth has been associated with the domestic market rather than exports—a situation exacerbated by international sanctions imposed on the Iranian economy. The chapter suggests that the recent domestic economic reforms together with opportunities offered by sanctions relief are likely to place the industry on a new trajectory. Since the removal of part of the international sanctions placed on the Iranian economy, the two large Iranian auto assemblers have concluded a number of joint venture agreements—in particular toward producing new models with the help of Peugeot-Citroen and Renault—which emphasize, at least on paper, exports and transfer of technology. Cooperation of small private-sector assemblers with VW, Renault, Hyundai, and various Chinese firms are additional developments in the Iranian auto industry during the recent period. The chapter examines the prospects for the Iranian auto industry against the background of these developments together with state policies.
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Notes
- 1.
According to the Central Bank of Iran (CBI 2016), during the period 2010/2011 to 2011/2012, the exchange rate increased from 13,568 rials per dollar to 26,059 rials per dollar—a rise of 92%.
- 2.
There was a campaign on the social media asking car buyers to postpone their purchases. It was meant to force the auto assemblers to reverse the price hikes. It gained momentum for a couple of months but eventually dissipated.
- 3.
IKCO engineers started this process with the RD project, installing a domestic engine on the Peugeot 405 body and gradually moving to more design-intensive projects such as developing the Pars model by putting a facelift on Peugeot 405 or adding a trunk to the originally hatchback Peugeot 206 model.
- 4.
Authors’ communications with Renault managers in Tehran during October 2016.
- 5.
For example, IKCO has kept control of part of its stocks by maintaining cross shareholding through its subsidiaries such as Negar Nasr, Samand Investment, Sepehr Kish, etc. SAIPA has used similar mechanisms with its subsidiaries such as SAIPA Investment, Radin Investment Development Company, and others controlling significant shares of the parent company.
- 6.
Authors’ communication with the managers of the Auto Parts Association of Iran in May 2017.
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Acknowledgment
Research assistance by Bahare Oryani and Morteza Nazari of Institute for Trade Studies and the Research is hereby acknowledged and appreciated.
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The chapter reflects its authors’ personal views and is not to be taken as the official views of past or present institutions with which they have been associated.
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Razavi, M.R., Alaedini, P. (2018). The Role of State, Domestic Firms, and MNCs in the Iranian Auto Industry: Improved Competitiveness or Policy Capture?. In: Alaedini, P., Razavi, M. (eds) Industrial, Trade, and Employment Policies in Iran. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94012-0_4
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