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Saipa was apparently not content to have Saab-length model
But Saipa was apparently not content to have Saab-length model cycles. So this past May, a mere seven years after the 141 was released, Saipa unveiled the production version of what it describes as a completely new model: the Tiba (Farsi for “gazelle”). According to Saipa’s research division, it’s based on a heavy evolution of the Kia Pride platform. It gets a new engine—a 1.5-liter with about 80 hp—and fresh sheetmetal.
From Iran, the news for both Iran Khodro and Saipa is all good. State-run media reports that Iran Khodro is expecting to build 730,000 cars next year, and is on the brink of setting up manufacturing and sales facilities in Venezuela. Similarly, Saipa says business is booming and that it is planning on exporting 20 percent of the Tibas it can build to various countries like Ghana.
But what goes on behind the scenes of this highly complex government and centrally planned economy is much harder to discern. The Financial Times recently reported that sanctions are taking their toll on Iranian auto manufacturing, increasing costs by a very significant 30 percent. Saipa has $2.3 billion in debt, pocket change for a big American corporation
From Iran, the news for both Iran Khodro and Saipa is all good. State-run media reports that Iran Khodro is expecting to build 730,000 cars next year, and is on the brink of setting up manufacturing and sales facilities in Venezuela. Similarly, Saipa says business is booming and that it is planning on exporting 20 percent of the Tibas it can build to various countries like Ghana.
But what goes on behind the scenes of this highly complex government and centrally planned economy is much harder to discern. The Financial Times recently reported that sanctions are taking their toll on Iranian auto manufacturing, increasing costs by a very significant 30 percent. Saipa has $2.3 billion in debt, pocket change for a big American corporation
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