Luxury cars priced over $25,000 currently account for 58% of all import orders for cars. This is while their share was only 47% last year. These changes occur at a time when the Iranian economy is facing issues such as war, maritime blockade, and restrictions on access to currency resources.
Significant Increase in Luxury Car Prices
According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, the average price of imported cars in the expensive category has increased from about $28,000 to $47,000. This 68% increase in average price indicates significant changes in the composition of orders towards more luxurious cars. These figures alone cannot determine the exact amount of imports or currency outflow for these cars.
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Challenges of Currency Allocation and Import Priorities
The importance of the currency allocation issue has significantly increased in the current conditions, especially considering currency restrictions and recent decisions by policymakers. On October 25, 2026, the currency deputy of the Central Bank announced that car imports are not a priority for currency allocation due to currency and trade restrictions. However, the possibility of following up on remaining order files with a change in currency method to "without currency transfer" remains until the end of December.
This decision does not mean a general permit for new order registrations, but the continuation of following up on previous files under currency restrictions raises questions about the criteria for prioritizing imports. In an economy where securing currency for essential needs and raw materials is of vital importance, policymakers must clearly explain the justification for continuing the import of luxury cars and how it aligns with the country's currency priorities.
Ultimately, the 58% share of expensive cars pertains to the first five months of 2025, and to prove the increase in this share during the current war period, the publication of new order and import statistics is essential. This data indicates that a transparent review of import priorities and accountability regarding currency provision is more necessary than ever.
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