| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Tehran, Iran |
| Key people | Nematollah Poustindouz, CEO |
| Products | Automobiles Engines |
| Employees | 18,500 |
| Website | www.saipacorp.com |
Saipa is the second largest Iranian auto manufacturer.
Saipa (an acronym for Societe Annonyme Iranienne de Production Automobile) was established in 1966,[1] with 75% Iranian ownership, to assemble Citroëns under license for the Iranian market. Nowadays it builds mainly Korean cars, but has also developed its own engine and range of cars.
The chief executive (president or managing director) of Saipa is Nematollah Poustindouz.[2] The main subsidiaries of SAIPA Group are Saipa Diesel, Pars Khodro and Zamyad Co.[3]
SAIPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysia's Proton to jointly develop a new compact sedan to replace the SAIPA Pride.[4]
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Saipa began by assembling Citroën's two-cylinder mini passenger car, the Dyane, in 1968. It went under the name Jyane (or Jian) in Iran. There was also an uncommonly ugly glazed panel van version of the Jyane, as well as the Baby-Brousse, a rustic little buggy in the style of a Citroën Méhari but with a metal body.[5] Later, a pickup version of the Jyane also appeared. The Baby-Brousse was built from 1970 until 1979. In 1975 Saipa began manufacturing licensed versions of the original Renault 5 and later the Renault 21. Production of Citroëns ended in 1980.[6]
From 1986-1998 Saipa built the Z24 pickup, a license built version of the 1970-1980 Nissan Junior with a 2.4-litre engine. In 1998 Saipa took over the Zamyad company, which then undertook the production of the Z24. Since 2003, this truck has been sold under the Zamyad brand.[6]
Renault 5 production ended in 1994 (Pars Khodro took over the production lines), and the 21 was discontinued in 1997.[6] In 1993 a relationship with Kia began, and production of the Kia Pride commenced. Saipa's Pride is marketed under the names Saba (saloon) and Nasim (hatchback). At the 2001 Tehran Motor Show the liftback Saipa 141 was added to the lineup. This is a five-door version based on the Saba, and is somewhat longer than the Nasim. The Pride series cars carry 97% local content.[6] Since 2001, Saipa has also produced the Citroën Xantia under licence[7] as well as assembling sedan models of the previous generation Kia Rio since May 2005, using parts imported from Korea.
In 2000, SAIPA purchased 51% of Pars Khodro. The Iranian government owns 20% of SAIPA. It also manufactures the Citroen C5 and the New C5. Other products are the Renault Tondar 90, a Renault Logan assembled by SAIPA and its subsidiary Pars Khodro in a joint venture with Renault known as Renault Pars,[8] with over 100,000 orders within a week of it going on sale in March 2007.[9][10]
In 2000, SAIPA launched its own design, the 701 Caravan minivan, which was facelifted in 2003. In November 2008 Saipa launched the Iran-made "Saipa National Engine 231".[11]
In December 2008, Saipa unveiled its new model: the Tiba/Miniator. The Tiba has a 4-cylinder gas engine and ABS, averages 7 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers and puts out 80 PS (59 kW) with a displacement of 1,500 cc. The price quoted at the time of its launch in 2008 was less than 100 million rials (USD10,000). The car has been designed and produced by domestic experts. In its production the services of some 122 local manufacturers have been utilized and about 810 parts have been produced. 15,000 Tiba were to be produced in 2009. Production over the succeeding three years was to reach 200,000 per year, with new subsidiary, Kashan SAIPA taking up production of the car.[12] The Tiba is expected to gradually replace the Pride of Kia Motors. The share of Tiba/Miniator in Saipa’s exports will be about 20 percent by 2011.[13][14] The model was originally named Miniator, but was later changed to Tiba (gazelle).[15]
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