FEATURE: All-Iranian car provides hope during economic struggle

The Miniator has been hailed as a sign of Iranian pride. Image: Amir Pourmand

The Miniator, a car designed and made by Iranian engineers using only Iranian parts, will be available next year, according to manufacturer SAIPA.

President Mahoud Ahmadinejad and industry experts attended the unveiling ceremony in Tehran on Saturday where managing director Mehrdad Bazrpash revealed that pre-sales of the Sedan will begin in February.

The Miniator is aimed at giving poorer consumers a chance to own a car - something which holds resonance with many Iranians struggling to deal with the financial crisis.

“The price of the car will certainly be less than 100 million rials (GBP£6,800), but we will try to lower the price to less than 90 million rials,” he said Bazrpash.

Bazrpash also pointed out that the reduced price tag will not affect the all-Iranian car’s quality. “The car will have a duel-fuel system and it’s safety devices are better than those installed in Pride Sedan.”

The Miniator is hailed as a symbol of Iranian pride, something which was strongly reiterated during the ceremony as President Ahmadinejad expressed gratitude to all those involved in the project.

Ahmadinejad also called on Iranian industrialists and experts not to limit their outlook to the geographical borders of Iran, “because Iranian talent and thought can find an appropriate answer to the human society needs.”

Minister Aliakbar Mehrabian later awarded the manufacturers a plaque of appreciation whilst expressing hope that the car would gain popularity both domestically and abroad.