Iran ranks 18th among world carmakers

New data shows Iran ranks 18th on the list of the world’s top auto manufacturers.

The 2014 Production Statistics by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) reveal Iran’s auto production increased by 46.7 percent in the 12-month period.

The latest figures indicate Iranian automakers produced 1,090,846 cars and commercial vehicles last year, of which 925,975 were cars and 164,871 were other vehicles.

Head of the commerce and sales office of Iranian carmaker Saipa Co. Mohammad Reza Abbasi said last month that the country had sold over a million vehicles in the current Iranian calendar year which ends on March 21, 2015.

The OICA report says China topped the list with over 23 million motor vehicles and 7.3 percent rise from the previous year.

The United States and Japan trailed behind with more than 11.66 and 9.77 million vehicles respectively, each registering smaller growths than China.

In total, the world produced 87,507,027 cars and other commercial vehicles in 2014, which shows a 2.6 percentage-point rise from 2013.

The OICA also predicted a global auto production increase of 3 percent to about 91 million vehicles in 2015.