Car imports are not final yet
According to Eqtesad Online, quoted by ISNA, the issue of resumption of car imports from last year was raised and there were several exchanges between the parliament, the Guardian Council, the Diagnosis Assembly, etc. Finally, last week, the Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade (Samat) Announced the general approval of car imports in the Cabinet and its final approval in the near future. At the same time, there was a lot of discussion and talk about the issue of imports, including the price ceiling and engine volume of imported cars, import time, etc., but according to government officials and import activists, until the import plan is fully finalized, approved and announced. The exact details are not known and there may still be changes in the way or conditions of import.
For example, at first, after Minister Samat announced the approval of all car imports, news was published, especially on virtual networks, that car imports were released with two conditions: a car price cap of $ 7,000 and an engine capacity of 1,000 cc, but immediately the legal deputy The ministry called the matter a rumor and denied it. One or two days later, there was talk again of setting a price ceiling of $ 20,000 to $ 25,000 and an engine capacity of 1,500 to 2,500 cc. Meanwhile, the Minister of Silence and his deputies have emphasized that the focus of the Ministry of Silence is on the import of economic vehicles. Despite the fact that in the years before 1397, mainly luxury, expensive and luxurious cars were imported, which were used by a certain part, but it seems that the focus of this period is to import economic cars for the benefit of the public.
All the issues raised, including the price ceiling and engine size for imported cars, as well as the type of cars, countries of origin, time of import, the amount of import tariff and whether or not it is applied in the price ceiling, etc., raise many questions and ambiguities in this Has raised the ground.
It is impossible to solve all problems by importing cars
In this regard, Mehdi Dadfar – Secretary of the Automobile Importers Association – stated in an interview with ISNA: The government and the gentlemen want to target 100,000 signs with one arrow and all the weaknesses, market turmoil, car prices, public dissatisfaction, supply problems, technology transfer, Social justice, income generation problems for the government, increase employment, support production, support exports, etc. in the form of car imports. It is impossible to solve all the technical, managerial, engineering, intellectual and disorder deficits of the government structure and personal extravagances overnight with one formula.
He added: “In addition, any action that is to be taken; Whether $ 7,000 or $ 15,000 or $ 25,000 will be implemented when approved by the Cabinet. We have not yet seen any approval from the cabinet in this regard. Both the initial $ 7,000 is correct and the $ 15,000, $ 17,000 and now the $ 25,000 price ceiling; Because all of this is stated in the draft plan but changes in traffic; So no one has lied or spread rumors. All of these cases have been raised for further investigation, but apparently have not yet reached a definitive conclusion.
Advocates of car imports are the founders of the status quo
Dadfar emphasized: “The important point, however, is whether the gentlemen who have commented on the issue of car imports in recent years, and especially in recent times, have just come to power or are they” new ideas “? The same gentlemen who have defended the import of cars today are the very founders of the current situation and there is no introduction in this regard. It must be admitted that the current situation is the result of the actions of these people. It is very surprising that the problem is supposed to be solved by people who once had the responsibility to solve it but made the situation more complicated, and today it is again insisted that the problem be solved by these people; Therefore, I do not see this kind of thinking as a solution to problems and problems, and this is a very bitter truth that must be accepted.
Importing cars at these prices will have only one meaning, and that is to shut down the two main carmakers.
It is impossible to import economic cars
He pointed out: “On the other hand, there is a slogan about importing economic cars, and the problems will start from this point.” Does the government really intend to liberalize car imports to import cars worth 200 or 400 million Tomans? It is questionable whether there are quality cars abroad at this price, but the main question is whether the government really intends to import cheap cars. It should be noted that importing cars at these prices will have only one meaning, and that is to shut down the two main automakers. In importing foreign cars at cheap prices, along with domestic cars, which may sometimes be more expensive, what will be the people’s choice?
“Therefore, such a permit will never be issued,” said the secretary of the Automobile Importers Association. There are cars under $ 20,000 of good quality that meet all 85 standards, but obviously the government will not do that, leading to the closure of major domestic automakers.
In response to the question whether the approval of the price ceiling will be subject to import tariffs or not, he said: it will be without tariffs. At present, tariffs of 55%, 75% and 95% are applied based on the car engine volume. If this tariff is changed and reduced, prices will be so competitive that gentlemen are unlikely to have such a plan.
There are two reasons why liberalization and the resumption of car imports are now being pursued. One is that in practice it has been proven that the two major automakers are not able to produce and meet market demand, and most importantly, the Supreme Leader is deeply complaining about the state of the country’s auto industry and has given serious remarks several times; Because all people are dissatisfied.
Liberalization of car imports has two important reasons
This activist in the field of car imports claimed: Some people are raising blood on the issue of resumption of imports in the same way as in previous years, such as 2015, so that imports are not allowed. In my opinion, this will not happen. There are two reasons why liberalization and the resumption of car imports are now being pursued. One is that it has been proven in practice that the two major automakers are not able to produce and meet market demand, and more importantly, the Supreme Leader is deeply complaining about the state of the country’s auto industry and has given serious remarks several times; Because all people are dissatisfied.
Dadfar continued: “So they decided to take action to reduce the fever of the issue a little.” Otherwise, they would never have allowed a car to be imported; Because our carmakers are state-owned and the interests of some are in the industry.
The secretary of the Automobile Importers Association, regarding the issue that the government has announced, will not interfere in imports and the work will be done by the importers themselves and the government will only have the role of monitoring and facilitating: the government will not intervene and only the supervisor It will be, but it will not leave you moment by moment and step by step. Formulas are formulated that, on the one hand, lead the producer and, on the other hand, the importer to a dead end. Of course, as mentioned, there is still no certainty and all this is prejudice; Therefore, we hope that all past problems will be resolved and the path will be paved.
People should not rush unnecessarily
Dadfar emphasized: we have to wait to see what decree will come out of the government body and what instructions will come out of the Ministry of Silence. The issue of car imports is a matter of speculation and propaganda and commentary, not the law, until the cabinet issues a formal resolution and the text of the resolution is published; Therefore, we must wait and people should not rush unnecessarily. Until the final import decision is announced, we will not have any imports and any speculation about it is wrong. The government itself does not know what is going to happen and, as mentioned, they want to solve all the problems created in the past years with the issue of car imports and formulate all their aspirations in imports, which is not possible.
“Imports are merely a lever to regulate the market,” he said. Supply and price reduction will be used, and the rest of the formulas to be written will be in theory, which will need to be changed after a while.
We were not consulted
He added: “In addition to the fact that so far only general information has been provided, it is also against the law.” According to Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Law on Facilitation of Business Environment, in order to change any laws, regulations or laws, specialized organizations must be invited or their opinions must be adopted in writing, but despite this law and the announcement that there will be zero to 100 jobs. It should be with the importers themselves and the government should only be in charge of the matter, but so far this has not happened and no opinion has been obtained from any of the importers and activists in this field.
The car will be imported at least 4 months after the finalization of the decree
In the end, the secretary of the Automobile Importers Association explained about the time of car imports and the official start of imports: “We have already announced that imports will begin in September.” The announcement of September will be in case the import is released today and the order is registered so that the steps and cars can be imported. Optimistically, it takes four months from the time the decree is issued and the instructions are specified, it takes time for the car to arrive, and according to the restrictive regulations, no one can reduce this time. The area regulations for the car, including standardization, dealership, after-sales service, customs, environment, traffic police, etc., are also very numerous.