Iran bans imports of renowned car brands

The Trade Promotion Organization of Iran has announced the list of cars which are allowed to be imported in the current Iranian year, but renowned brands such as Porsche, Benz, BMW, Maserati, and Nissan are not in the list, ISNA news agency reported.

In January, Iran's Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade banned importing cars with engines up to a 2500CC capacity.

According to the report, 17 car brands have been permitted to be imported in the current year. The cars include Hyundai (2 models), ABT, Alfa Romeo (2 models), MG, SsangYong, Toyota, Renault (6 models), and Kia (2 models).

Previously, 25 car brands were included in the list, such as South Korean brands (Kia and Hyundai), Chinese brands (SAIC motors), Italian brands (Fiat, Alpha Romeo), Japanese brands (Honda, Mitsubishi), German brands (ABT), and Swedish brands (Volvo).

Iran imported 44,341 cars worth over 1.084 billion dollars in the previous Iranian calendar year which ended March 20.

The amount shows a 30.59 percent and 11.3 percent increase in terms of value and number respectively, compared to the preceding year.