Renault Eyeing Return To Iran When Sanctions Lift

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

For the past few months, sanctions against Iran for their nuclear ambitions have sidelined PSA and Renault from the Persian market. Behind the scenes, General Motors outmaneuvered PSA despite their one-time alliance allowing them to muscle their way into aan emerging market via loophole abuse and an unknown quantity of Camaros. With GM out of the way, however, PSA would now be free to regain their footing once sanctions were lifted.

PSA won’t be alone in the upcoming battle, of course, as their compatriots at Renault have plans to return to Iran to reclaim what was lost, and then some.

At the World Economics Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that Renault would be willing to return to Iran once sanctions were lifted so as to capitalize on the potential 50 percent growth in sales. Currently, the sanctioned market represents between 700,000 to 800,000 vehicles, but could explode to between 1 million and 1.5 million units by the end of the 2010s once the market is freed, benefiting both Renault and PSA due to the popularity of French brands in Iran.

Renault’s departure from the Iranian auto market early last year, was out of fear of non-compliance of the sanctions issued against Iran by the United States, consequences of which would have led to Nissan having a tough time as far as U.S. sales were concerned. The pullout cost Renault 64,500 units worth of sales in the nation — 40,000 less than predicted by French newspaper La Tribune back in late July 2013 — and a first-half provision of $698 million that contributed to a 95 percent plunge in net income from Persian sales in the same period.

The vehicles sold in Iran by Renault consisted of Dacia Logan variants built locally from component kits in a partnership with local manufacturer ICKO.

With the noted presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the annual Davos gathering, Ghosn is confident that the “well-engaged” discussions about resuming international ties between Iran and the West are a sign of good things to come for his company, and for all others waiting to stake a claim. Iran’s auto market is expected to explosively to 1 million units, or 50 percent larger than Australia’s own market, by 2020.

Not that Tehran is waiting, of course.

TTAC Staff
TTAC Staff

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  • Battlehawk Battlehawk on Jan 24, 2014

    FUN FACT: the Persian word for snow is "barf"

  • Anonymous Anonymous on Jan 25, 2014

    The Renault-Nissan alliance occurred in 1999. Since the merger, Renault has continued their legacy of extraordinary mediocrity while Nissan has made extraordinary moves toward mediocrity. To Hell with just selling Renaults in Iran. Why not move the whole company there? Why simply support Iran's economy when you can be a real patriot? Oh... Take Nissan with ya.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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