Newly rendered PU1 compact pickup truck from Iran Khodro

 

2014 Iran Khodro PU1  [photo: Nasr News]

Recently unveiled is Iran Khodro's latest rendering of its expected PU1 compact pickup truck. PU1 is derived from the Iranian assembled Peugeot 405 platform, featuring ICKO OHVG2 Dual-Fuel 1700 cc engines in CNG and two gasoline grade configurations. Power transfer is through driveshaft and rear axle differential. Planned production is now expected to commence during the second half of 2014, with a manufacturer's retail price below $6500 U.S.

ICKO OHVG2 Dual-Fuel 1700 cc engine  [photo: ICKO]

Iran Khodro New Cars Failing Emission Standards

Police To Stop Registering New Vehicles Built With Euro 2 Standard

By: Jabbar Fazeli, MD

The Iranian equivalent of DMV announced (on 6/22/2013) that new, locally produced, vehicles that are still made to the 1998 "Euro 2" emission standards will no longer be registered. Euro 4 emission standard will be applied for all new car registrations as of the first of the current month. Cars made before that date are exempt.

This news was announced by Ahmad Roustami, a Naja official (1). 

Two days prior, Iran also announced (on 6/20/2013) that the distribution of Euro 4 gasoline is now underway (2). Like you, I thought they said they were already using Euro 4 fuel. Some of you may remember the oil Ministry claiming that Iranian gasoline is up to standard, and that the pollution in Tehran and elsewhere had nothing to do with substandard gasoline (6).

Fars news even posted an article in July of 2012 claiming an increase in Euro 4 gasoline, that article is now deleted.

The Iranian regime pushed through synthetic, substandard, gasoline production in October of 2011 to achieve immediate self-sufficiency. They faked the euro 4 status before they finally made it, almost 2 years later. 

The action by the department of motor vehicle to refuse registration of  brand new cars illustrate the other side of the pollution coin. 

Domestically produced Iranian cars are made based on the euro 2 standards and are contributing to pollution just as much as older vehicles. By comparison European vehicles were subject to euro 5 and 6 standards since 2007 (5,7).

Iran maybe cranking up new cars every second, but they might as well be repairing old Junkers when it comes to emissions standards.

A side note: The government is refusing to register the substandard new cars, but is allowing their sale. 

I'm sure they have their reasons, but one sure consequence is that ordinary Iranians will now have to bribe someone to register their new "made in Iran" cars.

*Below is the Persian language full report by Jomhouri Islami newspaper, including an interview with officials from the Car Manufacturers association in which they admit making euro 2 standard cars but blame it on lack of availability of Euro 4 gasoline.

References:

(1) June 22, 2013

http://www.jomhourieslami.com/1392/13920402/13920402_18_jomhori_islami_eghtesadi_0006.html

(2) June 20, 2013

http://www.kayhan.ir/920330/4.htm#N410

(3) http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2164142.html

(4) Fars news file from last year removed

 http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9103084700

(5) http://delphi.com/pdf/emissions/Delphi-Passenger-Car-Light-Duty-Truck-Emissions-Brochure-2012-2013.pdf

(6) http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-09/business/sns-rt-iran-pollutionl5e9c91lr-20130109_1_air-pollution-pollution-crisis-tehran-times

(7) http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/air_pollution/l28186_en.htm

Iran auto production figures, May 2013

 

Iran Khodro Runna (modified Peugeot 206 SD)

At the Best Selling Cars blog, matgasnier has reported on Iran's auromobile production figures for Ordibehesht, the second month of the year 1392 in the Persian calendar (roughly May 2013). He reports that production is down 57% from last year's figure for the year, to 38,537 units compared to 88,939 one year ago, due to the effects of sanctions.

Below is a reproduction of his production chart with photos for some of the listed models types:

Saipa Tiba (modified KIA Pride)

Chery MVM315 (Fulwin 2/Bonus) built in Iran by Iran Khodro

Iran Khodro Samand (modified Peugeot 405)

Iran Khodro Peugot Pars (modified Peugeot 406)

Lifan 620 (built in Iran by Kerman Motor with Lifan 720 powerplant)

Iran Builds Peugeot 207i

Iran's state-owned car manufacturer Iran Khodro unveils the Peugeot 207i, a locally built version of the French automobile firm's 207 model for the home market. Tehran. AFP photo.