Financial Tribune - Iran’s automotive output declined by 34.8% during the first half of the fiscal 2018-19 compared to a year earlier.

According to data published by Fars News Agency in the six months to Sept. 22, Iran produced 377,517 cars and commercial vehicles, indicating a 34.8% decline on year.

During the period, 348,268 passenger vehicles were made in Iran, down 35.9% year-on-year.

Production of vans, minibuses and buses plummeted 85.7%, 65.9% and 35.9% respectively compared to a year earlier.

Iran’s truck output dropped 79.9% YOY in the period.

Previously, the Industries Ministry regularly published statistics about car production. However, following consecutive declines, the ministry stopped publishing such reports. The release of the data by Fars News Agency comes as a surprise to observers.

Mismanagement and corruption, as well as the blistering pressure of US sanctions, have derailed Iran’s auto industries.