The sudden rise in car prices in Iran has created an unusual dilemma for the country’s economy. Unable to solve these kinds of issues, President Hassan Rouhani’s administration usually either blames these problems on systemic issues or as part of a psychological war waged by hostile powers. But neither of these explanations has any social acceptance in Iran.
During the past few weeks, a radical increase in the price of cars has resulted in domestic manufacturers announcing various plans to release more vehicles into the market. But what is the real reason for the price surge? The root of the problem might be found in a decision by the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade back in July 2017 to close down the car registration system. The reason for this move was to update the rules and regulations related to imports and related tariffs. The system stayed closed for six months before being reopened on Jan. 1. But what were the effects of this on the car market?
