Despite the Iran sanctions, the auto industry in Iran is still showing positive growth partly because some foreign auto companies are still doing business with the country. Fiat, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota and Volvo together sell about 650,000 vehicles per year in the country. 10% of Iran’s GDP comes from the auto industry making it the second-largest sector of Iran’s economy after oil. A new website has been set up by pro-sanction groups including United Against Nuclear Iran which lists each car company doing business with Iran along with some sales statistics.
What caught my eye was the Porche listing. In a five months period in 2011 Porche sold $17 million worth of luxury sports cars to Iranians. The purpose of the new website seems to be to discourage folks who will attend the 2012 New York auto show next week from doing business with these car companies. Meanwhile the stats UANI et al. have collected on the auto business in Iran makes a rare collection of interesting data which you can find here. Click on each cute car image to get info on how much business the company does with Iran.
I do wonder though how children of Regime royalty spending their pocket money on Porches could possibly help Iran’s nuclear program. If anything good foreign currency that could be used for industrial infrastucture is wasted on soosool baazi. Of what possible use are Porches to keeping the Regime in power? Fast getaway cars in case of street riots? If I were UANI I would consider letting Porche off the hook. Sanctions are for bringing down honest governments; for corrupt governments let Porches flood the market!
Above image: Porche Center Tehran Opening.
