According to a company press release, over 44,000 car enthusiasts tried to register in the presales, while the company had only 2,000 units on offer. Apologizing for the inconvenience, the company says it will launch further sales in the near future.
SAIPA-Citroen initiated the presale of the C3 in Iran last Wednesday. The vehicle was offered through online sales website Iran e-Car, with buyers being charged 600 million rials ($14,285) as a down payment.
The JV is yet to announce the final price for the model. As per an official statement, the vehicles will be delivered in August and exclusively in Tehran, according to Financial Tribune.
Presale receipts were issued to those who have been able to register for the C3. SAIPA-Citroen has announced that the tickets cannot be traded.
The C3 is a small hatchback produced in the central city of Kashan, which is equipped with a six-speed automatic gearbox and a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with a 163hp output. It meets Euro 5 emission standards and was initially unveiled in 2002 in France. The latest version of the car introduced in 2016 is sold in Iran.
SAIPA and Citroen signed a 50-50 joint venture in late 2016 under which the Paris-based carmaker has undertaken to invest more than €300 million ($352 million) in Iran during the next five years. In addition to C3, another model of Citroen, namely, C4 will also be produced in Iran.
According to company officials, in addition to the C3 and C4, SAIPA-Citroen is set to manufacture a B-class SUV in Iran in 2019 and a B-class sedan specially designed for the local market the following year.