Iran’s SAIPA introduces the "Offroady", its first SUV

Iran’s SAIPA introduces the
Auto industry observers say the "Offroady" has curious origins.
By bne IntelIiNews October 12, 2020

Iran’s second-biggest car producer SAIPA has unveiled its first domestically produced sports utility vehicle (SUV). It is called the “Offroady”, according to Asbe Bokhar magazine.

The announcement of the first “Iranian crossover” car came after SAIPA finally halted production of its much-maligned Pride which first entered production in the early 1990s and was based on the design of the Kia Pride which it took its name from.

Javad Soleimani, SAIPA’s CEO, announced the SUV without revealing details of the car or even close-up pictures of the vehicle.

"This product will be the first localised SUV in the country and features two differentials and an independent chassis, which gives this car considerable capability, power and quality," he said.

Social media immediately questioned the origins of the SUV which has appeared out of thin air, with some suggesting it may be a rebadged Chinese vehicle.

Iranian automakers have a long history of working with Chinese car manufacturers.

SAIPA previously assembled small SUVs but under foreign brand names.

Soleimani noted that along with the Offroady, other cars from the firm’s localised SP-100 platform would be brought on to the market. 

Related Articles

Office hours to return to normal schedule in Iran

Office, bank, school and higher education institution operating hours will return to normal schedules from April 6, Mehr News Agency reported on April 1. The return to regular schedules comes ... more

Top US economist Steve Hanke ranks Zimbabwe's currency as second worst globally

A prominent American applied economics professor, Steve Hanke, has ranked Zimbabwe's 11-month-old currency as the second worst performer worldwide, estimating it has lost 50% of its value ... more

Iranian judge orders officials to help government manage currency market

Top Iranian judge Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei has ordered judicial officials nationwide to assist the government in controlling the foreign exchange market and stabilising prices ahead of Ramadan and ... more

Dismiss