Iran’s industry ministry (MIMT) figures show vehicle output in the country rose by 6% in the first half of the year that began in late March compared with the same period in 2021.
The figures covered in a Sunday report by the official IRNA news agency showed that Iranian automotive companies had churned out a total of 516,206 vehicles in the six months to September 22.
Car output was responsible for 87% of total vehicle production in Iran in the April-September period with some 449,564 units, showed the MIMT figures which indicated that car production in Iran had risen by one percentage point compared with the same period last year.
However, the ministry said that finished car sales in Iran had risen by 284% over the two quarters to late September mainly because Iranian automotive companies had managed to meet targets set by the MIMT to complete and deliver pre-ordered cars to the customers.
The figures showed that pickup truck production by Iranian carmakers had surged by 45% year on year in the April-September period to reach 51,340 units.
Van production in Iran saw the biggest surge over the six months to late September with a 583% increase against the same period last year as total production in the vehicle category reached 1,368 units, according to the MIMT data.
That comes as the largest car manufacturer the IKCO reported a 6% decline in vehicle production in the current calendar year’s first half as its output reached a total of 228,008 units, according to the same figures.
Rival company Saipa also saw its total vehicle output drop by 1% to 209,310 units in the April-September period, the figures showed.