SAIPA, the Iranian automobile manufacturer, is planning to begin assembling its cars in Russia, according to Autonews.ru citing a brand representative. The company has initiated discussions with Kaliningrad’s Avtotor and the Belarusian plant Unison, signaling a serious push to establish local production routes. Officials from SAIPA hope that a concrete decision on vehicle assembly will be reached before year-end, enabling a faster entry into the Russian market.
In the Russian market, SAIPA intends to offer three models in its initial lineup. The first is the Quik hatchback, powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter M15 engine delivering about 87 horsepower. The Quik will be available with both manual and automatic transmissions, and it is positioned at a starting price around 1.5 million rubles, making it a competitive option in the affordable hatchback segment.
The second model is the Saina S sedan, which SAIPA plans to retail at roughly 1.2 million rubles through its network of authorized dealers. Later, a third sedan named Shahin is anticipated, featuring a turbocharged 1.5-liter powerplant. Shahin is expected to command a price near 2 million rubles, underscoring SAIPA’s strategy to broaden its Russian portfolio across different powertrains and price tiers.
Earlier reports also highlighted interest in bringing British-brand MG vehicles to the Russian market, indicating a broader trend of new foreign brands exploring manufacturing and assembly options within Russia’s automotive ecosystem.