The Mullahmobile
This Euro-ish compact sedan is apparently the newest product of Iranian automaker Saipa, and while most of the firm’s line is derived from various Frenchmobiles, the Miniator was done entirely in-house, despite a planned partnership between Saipa and Malaysia’s Proton.
The powerplant is a 1.5-liter inline four putting out a modest 80 hp. Managing Director Mehrdad Bazrpash says the price will be “affordable to give poorer people the chance to own a car,” which suggests around $10k or so. First-year production will be about 15,000; Saipa’s Kashan plant has an estimated capacity of 200,000 cars per year. The Miniator, I presume, will eventually replace the Kia Pride-based 141. The government of Iran owns about 48 percent of Saipa, which last year made about 482,000 cars.
(Photo courtesy of Khosoof.com.)
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16 December 2008 · 11:31 pm
Looks like it’s parked in quicksand. glub* glub*