The Saipa group, a major automotive player in Iran, is pursuing a collaboration project with AVTOVAZ, the Russian car manufacturer. The strategic aim centers on leveraging Russian-built engines, which AVTOVAZ currently uses in its Lada Largus line, to power vehicles produced in Iran under Renault licensing. This move signals a broader push to deepen cross-border auto industry ties and expand the availability of Renault-based platforms in the Iranian market.
During discussions, Mirzai Ghazi Abbas Moslem, who acts as an advisor and official representative for the Eurasian Business Council for Iran, outlined a plan to develop a new car influenced by the Renault Logan platform. The proposed model, referred to as L90 or Tander in internal discussions, would integrate Russian-supplied engines tailored for the Lada Largus to meet Renault-based design criteria. The intent, as stated, is to deliver a compliant and competitively priced vehicle produced in Iran under Renault technology licensing arrangements.
Moslem emphasized that the collaboration could benefit both sides by building on existing Renault-derived projects. He suggested that joint ventures would help sustain momentum for Iranian and Russian manufacturers alike, ensuring continued progress in vehicle development and production capabilities across the two nations.
The broader context for this potential partnership involves aligning engineering know-how with local manufacturing capacity to support a resilient automotive ecosystem. The proposed approach would focus on sharing technology, optimizing supply chains, and integrating regional production lines to meet market demand while adhering to licensing terms from Renault.
Driving the discussion forward, the parties envision a pathway that maintains continuity with Renault-based platforms while adapting to regional regulatory and market needs. The collaboration would likely involve coordinated research and development, supplier engagement, and quality assurance processes designed to uphold international standards across manufactured vehicles.
For audiences tracking current developments, the latest updates can be accessed through video commentary and industry briefings as they become available. This coverage highlights the potential for enhanced bilateral cooperation and the strategic implications for the Iranian and Russian automotive sectors — a dynamic shift that could influence production models, export options, and local employment in both countries. Sources for these insights include contemporary reporting from a Russian newspaper and official industry discussions, which provide contextual framing for the evolving partnership.