Khodrocar – Pervious cooperation of SAIPA and Citroen
was backed with 50 years ago when they were producing 100 thousand Dyane
annually. The Dyane was not the end of SAIPA and Citroen cooperation
because between 2001 and 2010, about 100 thousand Xantia entered Iran’s
market, but after that international sanctions didn’t allow the
cooperation and production of C4 stopped because of environmental
issues.
Now the
next joint venture production of SAIPA and Citroen unveiled in Tehran
Auto Show and will enter Iran’s market in the next six months. Now,
khodrocar reporter asked the opinion of Hosein Ali Momeni, head of
strategic studies and the planning deputy division of SAIPA about it.
You can read the full article below.
*How
do you think the cooperation with a French company and producing high
quality cars can gain customer's trust and make a competitive atmosphere
among local productions?
Right
now, both sides are negotiating to import other models to Iran's market
in addition to the agreed models. I believe that French Presence has
positive effects on our product quality and customer's trust.
*Which parts will have quality increasing?
For
example, in the field of dealers, both companies will have cooperation
to increase the quality of services. Right now, part of SAIPA dealers
belong to Citroen too, and we are hoping this cooperation can increase
the competition.
*What is the plan of this two companies for the next year?
As
the managers said, this contract is limitless and the cooperation has
resulted in buying shares which is the start of a serious and long term
cooperation.
*According to the long term cooperation of SAIPA and Citroen, how is the situation of spare parts supplement?
SAIPA-Citroen
co. is responsible for buying foreign materials, localizing raw
materials and at last importing them. Right now. Slovakia is the only
producer of C3 and SAIPA-Citroen will be the second producer of this
vehicle, so we have a plan to supply the spare parts of this joint
venture contract.
*How SAIPA can use the presence of French designers for local productions?
There
are some plans to use the help of French designers for improving SAIPA
productions. First, we are going to improve SAIPA engines alongside
French.
*Can SAIPA improve the quality of its local products by cooperating with Citroen?
Definitely,
SAIPA-Citroen Co. Has 3 Iranian and 3 French members and we have the
equal combination of both side human resources. Right now, there are 35
people who work in the SAIPA-Citroen permanently.
*Why Citroen chose SAIPA for producing C3?
Pervious
cooperation of SAIPA and Citroen was backed with 50 years ago when they
were producing 100 thousand Dyane annually. The Dyane was not the end
of SAIPA and Citroen cooperation because between 2001 and 2010, about
100 thousand Xantia entered Iran’s market.
After
the agreement for a joint venture cooperation, Citroen bought 50
percent of SAIPA shares and SAIPA Kashan changed to SAIPA-Citroen. Now,
we hope to produce high quality products due to the cooperation with
Citroen.
Khodrocar Reporter: Negar Mirkarimi
Khodrocar Translator: Amin Zamani